Robbie Williams fans are in for a wild ride with the release of the first trailer for “Better Man” — quite literally. Paramount has unveiled the trailer for the upcoming musical biopic directed by Michael Gracey, known for “The Greatest Showman.” In a surprising twist, the British pop icon is portrayed as a CGI monkey throughout the film. Yes, you read that right.
“I know what you’re thinking. What’s with the monkey? I’m Robbie Williams, one of the biggest pop stars in the world. But I’ve always seen myself as a little less evolved,” Williams cheekily narrates in the trailer. While the film presents a familiar arc of a musical biopic, every scene featuring Williams swaps him out for a “Planet of the Apes”-style monkey.
The trailer offers glimpses of Williams’ early years, showing a monkey playing soccer in childhood scenes, and follows his rise to fame, performing for sold-out arenas as a screeching ape, complete with exaggerated facial expressions and large teeth.
The official synopsis reads: “‘Better Man’ tells the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable comeback of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (‘The Greatest Showman’), the film offers a unique take on Williams’ life from his own perspective, reflecting his trademark humor and resilience. It traces Robbie’s journey from his early days as the youngest member of the boyband Take That to his record-breaking solo career, all while grappling with the pressures of global fame.”
The cast includes Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, and Anthony Hayes, with Jonno Davies portraying the monkey version of Williams.
“Better Man” was co-written by Gracey, Simon Gleeson, and Oliver Cole, with a wide array of executive producers including Robbie Williams himself, Zhe Chen, Markus Barmettler, and several others.