Robbie Williams fans are in for a treat with the trailer for “Better Man,” a musical biopic directed by Michael Gracey, known for “The Greatest Showman.” The film features a unique twist: a CGI monkey stands in for the British pop icon.
In the trailer, Williams himself narrates, humorously addressing the unconventional choice of a monkey as his double. “I know what you’re thinking. What’s with the monkey? I’m Robbie Williams. I’m one of the biggest pop stars in the world. But I’ve always seen myself a little less evolved,” he says. The trailer follows a familiar path for musical biopics, depicting Williams’ rise to fame, but every scene featuring him is comically replaced by a monkey reminiscent of “Planet of the Apes.”
Viewers see glimpses of Williams’ early life, including moments playing soccer as a monkey dressed in clothes. The trailer also showcases thrilling performances, with the monkey version of Williams energetically entertaining packed crowds, displaying an exaggeratedly playful demeanor with its large teeth and tongue.
The official logline summarizes the film: “‘Better Man’ tells the true story of the incredible ascent, dramatic fall, and remarkable comeback of Robbie Williams, one of the most celebrated entertainers of all time. Under Michael Gracey’s innovative direction, the narrative unfolds from Williams’ perspective, highlighting his trademark humor and resilient spirit. It chronicles Robbie’s journey from childhood and his time as the youngest member of the popular boy band Take That to his unparalleled success as a solo artist, while also addressing the challenges that come with immense fame.”
The cast of “Better Man” includes notable actors such as Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, and Anthony Hayes. Jonno Davies takes on the role of the monkey version of Williams.
The screenplay for “Better Man” was penned by Gracey alongside Simon Gleeson and Oliver Cole. The film boasts a diverse group of executive producers, including Robbie Williams, Zhe Chen, Markus Barmettler, Philip Lee, Li-Wei Chu, Michael Loney, Thorsten Schumacher, Lars Sylvest, Mark Williams, Gregory Jankilevitsch, Klaudia Smieja, David Ravel, Domenic Benvenuto, Gianni Benvenuto, Zoran Stojkovic, Dean Hood, David Conley, Daniel Fluri, Adrian Grabe, Andres Kernen, Slava Vladimirov, Jared Underwood, and Andrew Robinson.
“Better Man” promises a unique and entertaining take on Robbie Williams’ life, combining humor with poignant moments from his journey as one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
