Everything we know about Robbie Williams biopic Better Man
The Take That singer plays himself in his own life story
Take That singer Robbie Williams is the latest musician to get the biopic treatment, with the star set to play himself in the new movie Better Man.
Directed by Michael Gracey, the Australian filmmaker behind 2017’s musical hit The Greatest Showman, Better Man promises to take viewers through the journey of Williams’ life and career so far, complete with an added “fantastical” approach.
With reports suggesting Gracey will approach Williams’ rise to pop stardom with a satirical eye — and might even feature Williams being portrayed by a CGI monkey (yes, you read that right) at one point — Better Man is shaping up to be one of the more unusual musical biopics of late.
Here’s what we know about it so far.
When will Better Man be released?
Better Man will get a theatrical release on Boxing Day 2024, hitting UK and Irish cinemas on Thursday, 26 December. Before that happens, the film will premiere at Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024.
Better Man has been a long time coming, having initially been announced in 2021. The film was shot in Australia throughout 2022, with director and movie co-writer Gracey taking the production to Melbourne’s Dockland Studios.
Is there a trailer for Better Man?
Unfortunately, there’s no trailer for Better Man just yet. However, with a release date recently confirmed, it surely won’t be long before some footage from the film makes its way online.
What will happen in Better Man?
Better Man will take a larger-than-life look at Williams’ life and unlikely career as one of the UK’s most successful pop stars.
According to reports, the film will chronicle the singer’s journey from Take That singer to successful solo star — but it won’t be told in a typical way, with his songs set to be rearranged and Williams’ set to be played by a CGI monkey at one point in the film.
“It’s this fantastical story, and I want to represent it in its harsh reality all the way to these moments of pure fantasy,” explained Gracey, discussing the project. “Unlike some people who were born prodigies or geniuses and you follow the narrative of the world catching up to their brilliance, this isn’t that story.
“Robbie is that Everyman, who just dreamed big and followed those dreams and they took him to an incredible place. Because of that, his [story] is an incredibly relatable [one]. He’s not the best singer, or dancer, and yet, he managed to sell 80 million records worldwide.”
Which songs will be in Better Man?
When it comes to the movie’s musical moments, Gracey has no shortage of hits to choose from. Williams’ back catalogue boasts a number of sing-a-long classics, from Angels and Rock DJ, to the track from which the film takes its name.
That said, fans should expect to Gracey to “reinterpret and recontextualise” these hits for his movie.
“All Robbie’s songs will be re-sung, for the emotion of the moment,” the filmmaker told Deadline in 2021. “If he’s in the depths of despair, he’s not going to sing a song as cabaret flamboyant showmanship; it’s going to be broken, acapella, stripped down, because that’s where he is emotionally. In moments of pure joy, you’ll get songs sung in this whirlwind of hysteria.
“So essentially every song in the film, Robbie will sing, but it will be performed for the emotion of that moment, and that scene.”
Who is in the Better Man cast?
As previously mentioned, Williams will play himself for a portion of Better Man, with stage actor Jonno Davies playing a younger version of the star and — if reports are to be believed — a CGI monkey bringing Williams to life for some of the film.
Williams is said to have found the experience of playing himself in the movie a bit “odd”, saying it was weird to be sitting in “make-up and the lady that’s playing your grandma is sitting next to you, and the people playing your mum and dad.”
Speaking of which, Inside No. 9 star Steve Pemberton will play Williams’ father Peter, with Gavin and Stacey’s Alison Steadman portraying his mother Betty.
His Take That bandmates will also be represented within Better Man, with Jake Simmance playing Gary Barlow, Liam Head as Howard Donald, Chase Vollenweider as Jason Orange and Jesse Hyde as Mark Owen.
The film will also feature appearances from Mindhunter’s Damon Herriman, The Boys' Anthony Hayes and The Great Gatsby actress Kate Mulvany. The cast list is rounded out by Frazer Hadfield, Chris Gun, Jake McMinn, Jamie Condon and Damon Herriman.
Better Man will be released in cinemas on Thursday, 26 December
