| Better Man | |
| Director: | Michael Gracey |
| Producer: |
|
| Screenplay: | Michael Gracey Oliver Cole Simon Gleeson |
| Starring: | |
| Music: | Batu Sener (score) Robbie Williams (songs) |
| Cinematography: | Erik Wilson |
| Distributor: | Roadshow Films |
| Runtime: | 134 minutes |
| Country: | Australia |
| Language: | English |
Better Man is an upcoming Australian biographical musical drama film about the British singer Robbie Williams, who is set to be played by himself with Jonno Davies playing the younger version.
Better Man is stated to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024, and is scheduled to be released in theaters in Australia on 26 December 2024 by Roadshow Films.
The project was first announced in February 2021 as co-written and directed by Michael Gracey with Oliver Cole and Richard Gleeson also having co-writing credits, and Gracey also producing alongside Jules Daly for Big Red Films and Craig McMahon for McMahon International.[1] Later that year it was reported that funding also came via the Australian government’s Producer Offset and Film Victoria’s incentive programme’s.[2] The film is set to be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Roadshow Films with international sales handled by Rocket Science.[3]
Described as a satirical musical, the project is reported to cover three decades of Robbie Williams stardom, from his first success in popular music combo Take That through the ups and down of his career. The project was reported to “reinterpret and recontextualize“ some of his songs.[4] Williams is set to be played by Williams himself with Jonno Davies playing the younger version.[5] Deadline Hollywood had previously reported that Williams would be portrayed by a CGI monkey.[6] [7]
Williams is set to play himself with Jonno Davies playing the younger version. Williams described the filming process as “super odd” because he would find himself “sat in make-up and the lady that’s playing your grandma is sitting next to you, and the people playing your mum and dad.”[8] Other cast members include Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Anthony Hayes, Damon Herriman and Kate Mulvany, with Williams' Take That band mates set to be played Jake Simmance (Barlow), Liam Head as (Donald), Jesse Hyde (Owen) and Chase Vollenweider (Orange).[9]
Principal photography took place at the Docklands Studios Melbourne, in May and June 2022.[10] [11] Filming of concert scenes from his ‘Live At The Albert’ show in 2001 were filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London during Williams' concert appearances there on 6 and 7 November 2022. Members of the public could snap up bargain price tickets to attend in evening dress for the gigs. [12] Filming also took place in London in March 2023.[13]
Songs by Robbie Williams reportedly to feature in the film include ‘She’s The One’, ‘Angels’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’.[14] However, the director Gracey explained that the songs will be “re-sung”, to suit “the emotion of the moment” in the film.[15]
The original score to the film will be provided by Batu Sener.[16]
Better Man is stated to be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2024.[17] The film is scheduled to be released in theaters in Australia on 26 December 2024; a limited theatrical release in the United States will take place a day prior, with a wider release set for 17 January 2025.[18] [19]