Robbie Williams’ ‘Forbidden Road’ Disqualified from Oscars Shortlist

The Academy ruled the song ineligible after determining it incorporates material from a pre-existing track, violating eligibility rules.

The song 'Forbidden Road' from Robbie Williams' biopic 'Better Man' was removed from the Oscars 2025 Best Original Song shortlist after initially being included.
The Academy found that the song incorporates elements of the 1973 Jim Croce track 'I Got a Name,' which disqualifies it under rules requiring songs to be entirely original and written specifically for the film.
This decision reduces the Best Original Song shortlist to 14 entries, as the Academy will not replace the disqualified track.
The song remains eligible for the Golden Globes, where it was recently nominated for Best Original Song, as their rules differ on the use of pre-existing material.
‘Better Man,’ a musical biopic featuring Williams portrayed as a CGI monkey, is scheduled for a limited release on December 25 and a wider release on January 10, 2025.