Robbie Williams’ Biopic Features Chimpanzee as Protagonist

Robbie Williams: The Performing Monkey

Robbie Williams, the iconic British pop star, has often likened his life to that of a performing monkey, a sentiment he reflects on as he navigates the highs and lows of fame. From his childhood, where he sought his father’s approval and desperately tried to demonstrate he had the “It factor” to become a star, to his teenage years when he achieved his dream of joining the boy band Take That, Williams’ journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. As an adult, he struggled to carve out a solo career in the competitive music industry.

Recent biopics about legendary musicians, such as Queen and Elton John, have proven that audiences are eager to embark on imaginative journeys through the rise, fall, and resurgence of pop stars. However, the question remains: will they embrace a narrative where the protagonist is portrayed by a computer-generated chimpanzee?

Indeed, you read that right. The upcoming musical biopic “Better Man” will feature the character of Robbie Williams as a chimp, while all other characters will be human. This bold creative choice, made by director Michael Gracey—who gained fame for the blockbuster “The Greatest Showman”—is a gamble that he hopes will resonate with viewers, particularly in the United States, where Williams, despite his global fame, is less recognized.

Gracey explained that the idea of using a chimp resonated with him deeply. He noted, “It was the thing for me that clicked, and it was also the thing that made the film nearly impossible to finance.” To bring this vision to life, he plans to collaborate with the talented team at Weta FX, known for their groundbreaking work on films like “Avatar: The Way of Water”. The process will involve using motion capture technology, similar to what was used to transform Andy Serkis into Caesar in the acclaimed “Planet of the Apes” series.

In “Better Man,” actor Jonno Davies donned a gray motion-capture suit throughout the entire production, which will later be transformed into a chimpanzee through advanced CGI techniques. Notably, the facial features of the actual Robbie Williams will be integrated into the character, using his eyes to create a more authentic representation.

This innovative approach has significantly increased the film’s budget and posed challenges in securing financial backing. Gracey shared that during meetings with potential financiers, excitement would initially be high: “Director of ‘The Greatest Showman,’ Robbie Williams. I couldn’t be more excited about this. How much do you think?” However, once he revealed the unique premise—“Robbie in the film is being portrayed by a monkey”—the atmosphere would shift dramatically. He recalled their responses: “Oh, yes, in some dream sequence, or he looks at his reflection and sees himself as a monkey.” To which he clarified, “No, no, no, the entire film.” The reactions were often immediate, with their faces falling, leading to the abrupt end of conversations.