Robbie Williams aficionados are in for a wild ride with the unveiling of the “Better Man” trailer — and the madness isn’t metaphorical. Paramount has revealed the first glimpse of this upcoming musical biopic, helmed by Michael Gracey, the visionary director behind The Greatest Showman. However, what truly sets this cinematic spectacle apart is its audacious choice to use a CGI monkey as a surrogate for the British pop sensation. Yes, you read that correctly.
The trailer opens with Williams’ voiceover, laced with his characteristic humor: “I know what you’re wondering. Why the monkey? I’m Robbie Williams. One of the most colossal pop icons on the planet. But honestly, I’ve always seen myself as a bit… less refined.” From there, we are thrust into a whirlwind journey through Williams’ life, with each scene unfolding like any other musical biopic, except that Williams is portrayed not by an actor but by a primate — resembling something out of Planet of the Apes.
The trailer provides a surreal yet captivating montage of the superstar’s formative years. We witness a young Williams playing soccer — as a monkey in human clothing — and the spectacle continues with electrifying performance sequences, where the singer (or rather, his simian stand-in) enthralls colossal audiences. His ape avatar screeches, flashes exaggerated teeth, and flails about the stage, turning his iconic performances into a frenzied animalistic display.
According to the film’s official synopsis, Better Man chronicles Robbie Williams’ meteoric rise, dramatic downfall, and extraordinary return to stardom. Under Gracey’s masterful direction, the story is uniquely told from Williams’ own perspective, encapsulating his razor-sharp wit and relentless resilience. The narrative follows Robbie’s journey from his youth to his time as the youngest member of Take That, then shifts to his record-breaking solo career, all while confronting the turbulence that comes with sky-high fame and success.
The eclectic cast features Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, and Anthony Hayes. Jonno Davies takes on the peculiar role of embodying Williams’ primate alter ego.
Better Man is penned by Michael Gracey, Simon Gleeson, and Oliver Cole. A robust lineup of executive producers backs the film, including Robbie Williams himself, Zhe Chen, Markus Barmettler, Philip Lee, and many others, contributing to the project’s broad, international appeal.
In an entertainment world where biopics often follow a predictable formula, Better Man flips the script, offering an audacious, satirical, and visually inventive take on the life of one of Britain’s biggest pop stars. Prepare for a bizarre yet intriguing spectacle.