Better Man (2024 film)

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Better Man
Directed byMichael Gracey
Screenplay byMichael Gracey
Oliver Cole
Simon Gleeson
Produced by
  • Jules Daly
  • Craig McMahon
  • Paul Currie
  • Michael Gracey
  • Coco Ma
Starring
CinematographyErik Wilson
Music byBatu Sener (score)
Robbie Williams (songs)
Production
companies
  • Footloose Productions
  • Zero Gravity Management
  • Jumpy Cow Pictures
  • Showman
  • Rocket Science
Distributed byRoadshow Films
Release date
  • December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25) (United States)
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Better Man is an upcoming Australian biographical musical drama film about the British singer Robbie Williams. Williams is set to be played by himself with Jonno Davies playing the younger version.

The film is scheduled to be released in theaters in the United States on December 25, 2024, by Paramount Pictures, with a wider release set for January 17, 2025.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

The project was first announced in February 2021 as co-written and directed by Michael Gracey with Oliver Cole and Richard Gleeson also having co-writing credits, and Gracey also producing alongside Jules Daly for Big Red Films and Craig McMahon for McMahon International.[1] Later that year it was reported that funding also came via the Australian government’s Producer Offset and Film Victoria’s incentive programme’s.[2] The film is set to be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Roadshow Films with international sales handled Rocket Science.[3]

Described as a satirical musical, the project is reported to cover three decades of Robbie Williams stardom, from his first success in popular music combo Take That through the ups and down of his career. The project was reported to “reinterpret and recontextualize“ some of his songs.[4] Williams is set to be played by Williams himself with Jonno Davies playing the younger version.[5] Deadline Hollywood had previously reported that Williams would be portrayed by a CGI monkey.[6][7][8]

Casting[edit]

Williams is set to be played by Williams himself with Jonno Davies playing the younger version. Williams described the filming process as “super odd” because he would find himself “sat in make-up and the lady that’s playing your grandma is sitting next to you, and the people playing your mum and dad.”[9] Other cast members include Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Anthony Hayes, Damon Herriman and Kate Mulvany, with Williams' Take That band mates set to be played Jake Simmance (Barlow), Liam Head as (Donald), Jesse Hyde (Owen) and Chase Vollenweider (Orange).[10]

Filming[edit]

Principal photography took place at the Docklands Studios Melbourne, in May and June 2022.[11][12] Filming of concert scenes from his ‘Live At The Albert’ show in 2001 were filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London during Williams' concert appearances there on 6 and 7 November 2022. Members of the public could snap up bargain price tickets to attend in evening dress for the gigs. [13] Filming also took place in London in March 2023.[14]

Music[edit]

Songs by Robbie Williams reportedly to feature in the film include ‘She’s The One’, ‘Angels’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’.[15] However, the director Gracey explained that the songs will be “re-sung”, to suit “the emotion of the moment” in the film.[8]

The original score to the film will be provided by Batu Sener.[16]

Release[edit]

The film is scheduled to be released in theaters in the United States on December 25, 2024, with a wider release set for January 17, 2025.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 21, 2021). "Singer Robbie Williams Biopic Ready To Rock; 'The Greatest Showman's Michael Gracey Directing For Summer Shoot: Hot EFM Package". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  2. ^ Dalton, Ben (December 3, 2021). "Robbie Williams biopic 'Better Man' to shoot in Australia in 2022". Screen Daily. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  3. ^ Frater, Patrick (December 2, 2021). "Robbie Williams Biopic 'Better Man' to Film in Australia". Variety. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Shrishty (August 25, 2022). "'A Better Man': Docuseries About Former Take That Member Robbie Williams Lands at Netflix". Collider. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Lodderhose, Diana (May 22, 2023). "Robbie Williams & 'The Greatest Showman' Director Michael Gracey Talk Singer's Epic Biopic 'Better Man' & Why He Would Be Happy To Reunite With Take That: "We Have These Universal Strings That Pull Us Back Together" — Cannes Studio". Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (December 3, 2021). "Robbie Williams Biopic 'Better Man' Gearing Up For Australia Shoot In Early 2022". Deadline.
  7. ^ Lewsi, Isobel (March 3, 2021). "Robbie Williams will reportedly be portrayed by a CGI monkey in film about his life". The Independent.
  8. ^ a b Krol, Charlotte (March 2, 2021). "Robbie Williams will reportedly be portrayed by a CGI monkey in 'Better Man' biopic". NME. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Cairns, Dan (September 10, 2022). "Robbie Williams: 'Fame is only ever toxic. None of us are well-rounded'". The Times. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "This is the actor set to play a young Robbie Williams in his upcoming biopic 'Better Man'". Thehits.co.nz. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  11. ^ Roberts, Kit (June 30, 2022). "Robbie Williams film Better Man - latest cast and the plot details". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  12. ^ Domjen, Briana (May 1, 2022). "First pictures: Robbie Williams biopic Better Man filming in Melbourne". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  13. ^ Rowland-Dixon, Taye (October 26, 2022). "ROBBIE WILLIAMS AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL – TWO CONCERTS FOR THE FORTHCOMING MOVIE 'BETTER MAN'". Verge Magazine. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  14. ^ Elliott, Louise (March 29, 2023). "Filming for Robbie Williams biopic Better Man as Jonno Davies takes star role". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  15. ^ Reilly, Nick (February 23, 2021). "Robbie Williams biopic from 'The Greatest Showman' director is in the works". NME. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  16. ^ "Batu Sener Scores Michael Gracey's Better Man".
  17. ^ Stephan, Katcy (February 28, 2024). "'Naked Gun' Remake Set for 2025 by Paramount; 'TMNT' and 'Paw Patrol' Sequels Dated for 2026". Variety. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.

External links[edit]

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