Traditional thinking would lead most to exclude a film like Sausage Party from even being considered for an Oscar, but creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg aren’t really traditional people, and alongside Sony are looking to get their film into contention.
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Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman spoke to THR about the film’s chances and happens to think they are quite high. For his part anyway, he’s giving the Academy the benefit of the doubt.
“Academy members are way smarter and more forward-thinking than people realize. They want to recognize bold, original, risky breakthroughs, and that’s what Sausage Party is, however subversive. Plus, it’s just plain cool.”
As for Rogen, he views this as a chance to push the envelope, just like Sausage Party did for R-rated animated films.
“We’ve never been this passionate about a film and we’re thrilled to enter uncharted territory. It’s rare you really get to break new ground, and we hope that people view it as a good thing for the medium.”
Sausage Party was produced for a relatively low $19 million and managed to bring in over $135 million worldwide. When you factor in its R-rating, that’s quite the impressive feat. It’s that success that will lead Sony to kick off their big Oscar push at the Westwood iPic theaters on November 1. The film will be screened with Rogen and director Conrad Vernon (one-half of the directorial team) presenting it to members of the Academy’s Short Films and Feature Animation Division, members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and representatives from other organizations as well.
Sony will also produce print and digital advertising campaigns, along with additional screenings, mailers, and in-person campaigning from Rogen. They want the film to be recognized, but according to Rogen, there is really one end goal in mind.
“We all want to meet Leonardo DiCaprio.”
Sausage Party stars Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader, Michael Cera, James Franco, Danny McBride, Craig Robinson, Paul Rudd, Nick Kroll, David Krumholtz, Edward Norton, and Selma Hayek.
Sausage Party, the first R-rated CG animated movie, is about one sausage leading a group of supermarket products on a quest to discover the truth about their existence and what really happens when they become chosen to leave the grocery store.
