Big news: we’re releasing Steve McQueen’s SHAME in the US on December 2nd, 2011!

Words tweeted from Fox Searchlight Studios about an hour ago.

No trailer has yet been released for Shame, which as you should know, stars Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan and Nicole Beharie. We should expect one any day (more like any minute) now. I’m sure the December 2nd date is part of the strategy to release the film in time for Oscar consideration.

I’m curious to know how the NC-17 rated/sex addiction drama will be marketed, how wide of a theatrical release it will have, and its real chances for Oscar nominations, given the past record of racy, arthouse films not having a chance with the conservative Academy.

We shall see…