I enjoyed this featurette about the making of Jason Reitman‘s “Up in the Air” (Paramount, 12/4, trailer), which is now in limited release in a few major cities, will be expanding to more theaters over the coming weeks, and will be on screens nationwide on Christmas Day. Thus far, the film has been celebrated as the best picture of the year by virtually every awards group with which it is eligible and — unless “Avatar” blows everyone away later this week — will in all likelihood be duking it out with “The Hurt Locker” and “Precious” for the top honor at the Academy Awards, as well.

Since much of this featurette focuses on Reitman, though, now seems as appropriate an occasion as any to note that he is poised to make some history of his own at the Oscars. When the 2009 winners are announced on March 7, 2010, the “Thank You for Smoking” (2005) and “Juno” (2007) director will be 32 years, 4 months, and 16 days of age. If he is voted best director for “Up in the Air” — which is well within the realm of possibility, considering that best picture and best director usually correspond — then he will become the youngest best director Oscar winner in history, breaking a record that has been held for 78 years by “Skippy” director Norman Taurog (who was 32 years, 8 months, and 18 days of age when he won on November 10, 1931) by 4 months and 2 days.

(Thanks to InContention commenter “Charlie” for crunching the numbers!)