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Better Man 2024
Better Man is a 2024 biographical jukebox musical drama film that uses real songs from the life of English singer Robbie Williams. The movie was directed by Michael Gracey and written by Gracey, Simon Gleeson, and Oliver Cole. It stars Williams, Jonno Davies, Raechelle Banno, Steve Pemberton, and Alison Steadman. Development started in February 2021 when Gracey was announced as director and co-writer along with Gleeson and Cole. In the film, Williams is played by an anthropomorphic chimpanzee performed through motion capture by Davies, with Williams also providing the voice. This casting choice came from Williams' self-perception as a "performing monkey" and Gracey's idea of making a satirical musical. No character in the movie makes comments about the appearance. Williams also re-recorded several songs from his music catalog for the film.
Principal photography began in May 2022 and concluded in June 2023. Locations included Docklands Studios in Melbourne, Regent Street, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. The film had its premiere at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2024, followed by a U.S. theatrical release on 25 December by Paramount Pictures, and a UK release the next day by Entertainment Film Distributors. Worldwide earnings reached $22.5 million, making it a box-office failure. Despite this, reviews were positive. Better Man earned nine AACTA Awards, including Best Film, and was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, BAFTA Film Awards, and Visual Effects Society Awards.
Cast
- Robbie Williamshimself
- Jonno DaviesRobbie Williams
- Steve PembertonPeter Williams/Conway
- Kate MulvanyJanet Williams
- Alison SteadmanBetty Williams
- Damon HerrimanNigel Martin-Smith
- Raechelle BannoNicole Appleton
- Karina BannoNatalie Appleton
- Jake SimmanceGary Barlow
- Liam HeadHoward Donald
- Jesse HydeMark Owen
- Chase VollenweiderJason Orange
- Tom BudgeGuy Chambers
- Leo Harvey-ElledgeLiam Gallagher
- Chris GunNoel Gallagher
- Frazer HadfieldNate
- Leatham Blisandyoung Nate
- Anthony HayesChris Briggs
- John O'MayTerry Swinton
Crew
- Director
- Michael Gracey
- Writer
- Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey
- Producer
- Paul Currie, Michael Gracey, Coco Xiaolu Ma, Craig McMahon, Jules Daly
- Cinematography
- Erik Wilson
- Editing
- Jeff Groth, Spencer Susser, Martin Connor, Lee Smith, Patrick Correll
- Music
- Batu Sener, Robbie Williams (songs)
Details
- Production
- Facing East Entertainment, Footloose Productions, Partizan Films, Sina Studios, The Lost Bandits
- Distributor
- Republic Pictures (International; through Paramount Pictures), Roadshow Films (Australia)
- Budget
- $110 million
- Box office
- $22.5 million
