Seeing the first trailer released, anyone would say that we are looking at a kind of spin-off of planet of the apesbut not. While all the musical biopics, be those of Freddie Mercury, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Elvis, Bob Marley or, in preparation, like that of Michael Jackson either Bob Dylanamong many others, strive to ensure that their protagonist looks as close as possible to the original artistwhich will tell us the story of the launch to stardom of Robbie Williamsthe film titled Better Manbet on a different formula: transform the British singer into an ape (!)thanks to CGI effects, and more specifically in a chimpanzee.
The invention was hatched between the singer himself and the director of the feature film, Michael Graceywhose main accreditation in the field of musicals is having directed The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackmanin addition to having been in the production of another extraordinary biopic, that of Rocketman focused on Elton John. And the title is that of one of their songs included on his third studio album, Sing When You’re Winning and published in 2000.
‘Better Man’: synopsis
The plot will show us details of his earliest childhood years, trying to stand out as a soccer player, to continue with his beginnings as the youngest member of the boy band. Take That and finally launch your solo career. All in an itinerary that follows “his experiences that made him who he is and the demons he battled both on and off stage”according to the official synopsis.
They wrote the script Oliver Cole (at the moment, with a brief resume, in some episodes of television series) and Simon Gleeson (My life in ruins) and Michael Gracey himself.
‘Better Man’: cast
Accompanying the cutest version of Robbie Williams will be Damon Herriman (Bikeriders), Raechelle Banno (from the series Home and Away), Alison Steadman (from the series Here We Go), Kate Mulvaney (from the series Hunters and also seen in Elvis either The Great Gatsby) either Steve Pimberton (from the series The League of Gentlemen).
However, in addition to a Robbie Williams also credited in the artistic technical sheetthe big star of this show would be the actor Jonno Davies (also from the series Hunters and, for example, supporting actor in Kingsman: Secret Service) who, as if Andy Serkishas performed the CGI interpretation of the simian version of the singer (the Caesar of pop rock?).
‘Better Man’: trailer
“You have to take risks, whatever the cost”can be heard in the first trailer released and which shows us the version in all its glory. “somewhat less evolved” of the singer. A trailer that also sends us another message, that of the protagonist at a macro concert, but surely also applicable to the film: “These next two hours you will all be mine”.
By the way, the design of the choreographies, following a style more typical of the 90s, where the main action is framed, has been in charge Ashley Wallen and who has already designed choreographies for concerts Kylie Minogue or Williams himself, also for the special Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts of 2022, and in cinema for films such as Argylle or the aforementioned The Greatest Showman.
And where did the idea of turning Robbie Williams into a monkey come from?
Since the intention was to offer a special vision of an artist “only”the idea that the protagonist was a chimpanzee it occurred to the same director talking with his star. In one of their numerous meetings, Michael Gracey was struck when Williams described himself as “a monkey acting for others”. So, as he relates in an interview for Entertainment WeeklyWithout hesitation, the filmmaker suggested that the singer represent himself as an ape. And so it has been.
The visual effects have been in charge from the prestigious company WETA and while it is the actor Jonno Davies who has done the interpretation for the CGI motion capture, the singing voice remains that of Williams himself.
‘Better Man’: premiere
After passing through the festivals of Telluride and torontoin Spanish cinemas it is scheduled to be released as a Christmas gift, December 25by Tripictures. The same date on which it will also arrive, first in a limited number of theaters, in the United States.
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