By Brandon Nolta 

For those of you who have too much happiness in your lives and occasionally need a depressing flick to even things out, there’s good news: The second major role of the upcoming film THE ROAD has been cast. Kodi Smit-McPhee, an 11-year-old actor from Down Under, will play the son of Viggo Mortensen’s character in the film, which tells the story of a father and son wandering across the ruins of America after an unspecified apocalyptic event. Charlize Theron also stars in the adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.

Smit-McPhee was recently nominated for best lead actor by the Australian Film Institute for his work in ROMULUS, MY FATHER, which also starred Eric Bana and Franka Potente. Mortensen isn’t doing too shabby in his award nominations, either; he’s been nominated for a best leading actor Oscar for his role in EASTERN PROMISES.