Better Man Trailer: CGI Monkey to Play Robbie Williams in New Biopic from The Greatest Showman Director
New musical biopic Better Man, about the life of British pop icon Robbie Williams, boasts arguably the most unlikely of leads: a computer-generated monkey. Helmed by The Greatest Showman's Michael Gracey, the film makes a wild and imaginative leap in chronicling Williams' road to stardom, replacing the pop star with a CGI primate. The kooky choice was first revealed at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival, in which critics were equally mesmerized and amused by the film's surreal visual strategy.
The film is set to be released in select theaters on Christmas Day of 2024 before going wide on January 17, 2025. A brand new biopic about Robbie Williams is ready to give an inside look into his life-from the early days with Take That and all the way through his solo career and struggles with his mental health, addiction, and fame.
A Monkey as the Star
While the film is based on Williams' real life, it deviates from the conventions of the biopic genre for one major creative choice: Williams is a CGI monkey voiced and motion-captured by Jonno Davies. As the director explained in an interview with IndieWire, the idea to make Williams a monkey actually came from how the singer treated himself and used to perceive his sense of humor. "Robbie has always seen himself as a bit of a performing monkey, and we wanted to take that quite literally," Gracey shared.
The trailer reveals that in some of Williams's most iconic moments, a monkey is standing in for him: bleaching his hair, partying with Oasis, performing for stadiums full of adoring fans, and wrestling with his struggles. Already, critics have called the film audacious in style. David Ehrlich with IndieWire wrote, "You will see a monkey drive headlong into opposing traffic while singing at the top of its lungs. And by the end, you'll believe in Robbie Williams, monkey or not."
A Star-Studded Cast and Visionary Direction
Better Man is more than just a film for the eyes; it is a touching story of probably the most iconic entertainers alive and breathing. The movie captures Williams' highs and lows, showing his life through his witty and self-deprecating lens. Gracey promised that with Cole and Gleeson, who co-wrote the film with him, this is going to be an "expansive" and "unique" take on the music biopic genre, as Better Man decides to harp on the fantastical elements to put into light the singer's complex persona.
The film has an amazing supporting cast, which includes Steve Pemberton, Raechelle Banno, alongside Alison Steadman, Damon Herriman, and Frazer Hadfield. With Gracey's brilliant insight and the state-of-the-art effects brought by Weta FX, the same company behind Avatar and The Lord of the Rings, Better Man is well on its way to becoming an unforgettable film experience.
Reactions to the Bold Choice
Fans and critics are already talking about Better Man, well in advance of its release. When the trailer dropped from Paramount, it went viral as fans reacted to the unexpected visual style with surprise. Some people were baffled by the very concept of a CGI monkey; others pointed out metaphorical layers within. "I've always seen myself as a little less evolved," Williams narrates humorously in the trailer, hinting at deeper introspection that the movie offers.
The fact that Gracey decided to employ a monkey is at once a reflection of Williams' outlook and a tool for storytelling that automatically distances this biopic from any others. Whimsical, undeniably, but the film doesn't balk at showing Williams' addiction and his mental health issues. That mix of humor and emotional depth is surely destined for worldwide success.
A New Wave of Music Biopics
Better Man continues a growing trend in progressive biopics that continue to push boundaries, as is also being done in Pharrell Williams' LEGO-inspired upcoming life story Piece by Piece. What's happening here is indicative of the evolution of the biopic genre as directors and writers are taking bigger and greater risks in how they represent their subjects. With Better Man, this might just be the innovative angle that works most in its favor. As Gracey flexes the boundaries of what a musical biopic can do and be, audiences are in for real treats. Be it through an entertaining singing monkey or the actual struggles of a performer in the limelight, Better Man promises to be a journey into Robbie Williams like no other.
The Future of Better Man
With its planned release dates of December 25, 2024, for select and January 17, 2025, for wider releases, Better Man is already one to mark on one's calendar, especially for any Robbie Williams or innovative filmmaking fan. With excitement building, the film has positioned itself as one of the more unique entries in the biopic genre, sure to spark conversation and leave audiences tapping their feet to Williams' timeless hits-whether delivered by human or monkey.
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