In the trailer for his new biopic Better Man, Robbie Williams takes on a totally unexpected role: a CGI monkey! Directed by Michael Gracey, who also directed The Greatest Showman, the film shows the British pop star as a chimpanzee, voiced and portrayed by actor Jonno Davies using motion capture.
The movie, set to hit theaters on December 25 and stream on January 17, tells the true story of Robbie Williams’ rise to fame, struggles, and comeback.
It shows his journey from being in the popular boy band Take That to becoming a solo superstar, dealing with mental health issues and addiction along the way.
Watch Full Trailor Here…
In the trailer, Robbie says, “This is my story. But I’m not going to tell it the usual way, because I don’t see myself the way others see me.” That’s when the decision to portray him as a chimpanzee comes in. He even jokes, “To be honest, I’ve always been a little less evolved.”
The trailer shows Robbie as a chimp performing on stage and interacting with the crowd, capturing both his ups and downs, and how he struggled with his public image as his fame grew.
At one point, he asks, “Do I look like a pop star to you?” as he faces the pressure of being in the spotlight.
The film stars Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, and others, with Robbie also voicing his own character at times.
In a behind-the-scenes video, Michael Gracey explains that Robbie saw himself as a chimp, which is why the idea was chosen to represent him in the movie.
It’s definitely an unusual take, but it promises to offer a unique look at the life of one of pop’s biggest stars!
