- Robbie Williams has explained why a CGI monkey plays him in his new biopic
- Williams says he feels a “little less evolved”
- First official trailer for Better Man released
British singer Robbie Williams has explained why he’s a CGI monkey in the new trailer for his biopic Better Man.
The first full trailer for director Michael Gracey’s biopic of the Take That musician dropped in mid-November. It starts with Williams explaining the rather unusual creative decision at the heart of the movie.
“I’m Robbie Williams. I’m one of the biggest pop stars in the world,” says Williams in a voiceover. Meanwhile, a short montage of clips from his musical career plays.
“This is my story – but I’m not going to tell it in an ordinary way because I don’t see myself how others see me.”
“A little less evolved”
It’s at this point where Williams as a CGI monkey, dressed in a loosely fitted black suit and a white tie, lands on a stage in front of thousands of music fans.
“For the next two hours, your ass is mine” yells the animated ape.
Williams quickly chimes in again to offer some further explanation: “To be honest, I’ve always been a little less evolved.”
The trailer then continues with Williams narrating the key events of his life. From his childhood to his rise to pop stardom via the British boy band Take That, it’s all covered.
All the while, Williams is played by a CGI monkey. Watch the trailer below:
When is Robbie Williams’ biopic Better Man released?
Williams’ new biopic will hit US cinemas on Christmas Day, 25 December, 2024.
The film is directed by The Greatest Showman filmmaker Gracey, with newcomer Jonno Davies playing Williams throughout the movie as a CGI monkey.
As the movie’s trailer reveals, Williams will also play himself throughout portions of the film, taking viewers through the various ups and downs of his life.
During an interview with Roadshow earlier this year, Williams and Gracey went into a little more detail on why he decided to cast an animated monkey in the lead role of their movie.
“I asked you if you were an animal, how would you see yourself,” says Gracey, speaking to Williams. “In your own words, you would refer to being dragged up on stage to perform like a monkey.”
He continued, adding: “I immediately thought of portraying you not as we see you but how you see yourself, it immediately clicked.
“With your voice and that monkey, I am going to see you and relate to you in a way that is going to be more engaging than a musical biopic.”
