Robbie Williams’ song “Forbidden Road,” featured in his biographical film Better Man, has been deemed ineligible for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best Original Song category. A letter from the Academy’s music branch, sent on Friday, confirmed the disqualification, stating that the song “incorporates material from an existing song that was not written for this film.”
The Academy’s eligibility rules require that a song be entirely original and specifically created for the film to qualify. Following a review by the music committee, “Forbidden Road” was removed from consideration, reducing the shortlist of contenders to 14, with no replacement added.
Despite this setback, Better Man, directed by Michael Gracey, continues to generate interest ahead of its limited release on December 25, with a wide release scheduled for January 10. The film, which presents Williams as a computer-generated monkey, offers a unique perspective on the singer’s life and career.
Other songs still in the running for Best Original Song include Pharrell Williams’ “Piece by Piece,” Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s “Never Too Late,” and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Tell Me It’s You.” Other notable tracks include Maren Morris’ “Kiss the Sky” from The Wild Robot and Diane Warren’s “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight.
Although “Forbidden Road” is no longer eligible, Better Man remains a highly anticipated film, offering a fresh and inventive portrayal of Robbie Williams’ personal and professional journey.
