Take That singer Robbie Williams is the youngest musician to have a film biography published: In the new film “Better Man,” the star will play himself.
Directed by Michael Gracey, the Australian filmmaker behind the 2017 musical hit The Greatest Showman, Better Man promises to take viewers through Williams’ life and career so far, rounded out with an additional “fantastical” approach.
According to reports, Gracey will take a satirical look at Williams’ rise to pop stardom – and may even see Williams portrayed by a CGI monkey at some point in Better Man (yes, you read that right) – and so Better Man is shaping up to be one of the most unusual music biopics in recent memory.
Here’s what we know about it so far.
When will Better Man be released?
Better Man will be released on Boxing Day 2024 and will be in UK and Irish cinemas on Thursday 26 December, before premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024.
Better Man has been a long time coming and was first announced in 2021. The film was shot in Australia in 2022, with director and co-writer Gracey moving production to Dockland Studios in Melbourne.
Is there a trailer for Better Man?
Unfortunately, there is no trailer for Better Man yet. However, with a release date recently confirmed, it certainly won’t be long before some footage from the film appears online.
What will happen in Better Man?
“Better Man” takes a larger-than-life look at Williams’ life and unusual career as one of Britain’s most successful pop stars.
According to reports, the film will trace the singer’s journey from Take That singer to successful solo star – but not in the traditional way: His songs will be rearranged and Williams’ songs will be played by a CGI monkey at one point in the film.
“It’s this fantastical story, and I want to portray it from its harsh reality to these moments of pure fantasy,” Gracey explained when discussing the project. “Unlike some people who are born prodigies or geniuses, where you follow the narrative of the world catching up to their brilliance, this is not that story.”
“Robbie is this everyman who just had big dreams and followed those dreams, and they took him to an incredible place. That’s why his (story) is incredibly relatable. He’s not the best singer or dancer, and yet he managed to sell 80 million records worldwide.”
What songs will be included in Better Man?
As for the film’s musical moments, Gracey has no shortage of hits to choose from. Williams’ back catalogue includes a number of sing-along classics, from Angels and Rock DJ to the song that gives the film its name.
Nevertheless, fans can expect Gracey to “reinterpret and recontextualize” these hits for his film.
“All of Robbie’s songs are re-sung to capture the emotion of the moment,” the filmmaker told Deadline in 2021. “When he’s in deep despair, he won’t sing a song as a flamboyant cabaret show; it will be broken down, a cappella, stripped down, because that’s where he is emotionally. In moments of pure joy, songs are sung in this whirlwind of hysteria.”
“So basically Robbie will sing every song in the film, but it will be performed to express the emotion of that moment and that scene.”
Who is in the cast of “Better Man”?
As previously mentioned, Williams will play himself in part of Better Man, with stage actor Jonno Davies portraying a younger version of the star and, if reports are to be believed, a CGI monkey bringing Williams to life for parts of the film.
Williams reportedly found the experience of playing himself in the film a little “weird.” He said it was weird “sitting in makeup and next to you is the lady who plays your grandmother and people are playing your mom and dad.”
Speaking of which, Inside No. 9 star Steve Pemberton will play Williams’ father Peter, while Gavin & Stacey’s Alison Steadman will play his mother Betty.
His bandmates from Take That will also be featured in Better Man: Jake Simmance plays Gary Barlow, Liam Head Howard Donald, Chase Vollenweider Jason Orange and Jesse Hyde Mark Owen.
The film also stars Damon Herriman from Mindhunter, Anthony Hayes from The Boys and Kate Mulvany from The Great Gatsby. Rounding out the cast list are Frazer Hadfield, Chris Gun, Jake McMinn, Jamie Condon and Damon Herriman.
Better Man hits theaters on Thursday, December 26
