His next role came in The Wilderness of James in the title role of James. Later the same year, Smit-McPhee had a role in Dead Europe, which premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. Smit-McPhee then voiced the lead role of Norman in ParaNorman, a 2012 animated comedy horror film which was nominated for Best Animated Feature for the 2013 Academy Awards, and also received a 2013 BAFTA Award nomination for Best Animated Film. Viggo Mortensen, Smit-McPhee, Joe Penhall, John Hillcoat, and Steve Schwartz at the 2009 premiere of The Road
