Watch: Robbie Williams is a CGI monkey in upcoming biopic ‘Better Man’

Biographical films are a dime a dozen, especially when it comes to musicians.  

From the bombastic but shallow Elvis, the dire Bohemian Rhapsody, the equally rubbish Back To Black, to the better end of the spectrum with Straight Outta Compton, Ray and Walk The Line, there’s rarely a year that passes without a music biopic hitting the big screen.  

But you’ve never seen anything quite like this one…  

Better Man, directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), will chronicle the childhood and rise to fame of British star Robbie Williams, the ex-Take That member and solo singer who found fame with songs like ‘Angels’, ‘Rock DJ’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’.  

The 50-year-old superstar is involved, but in an interesting twist, instead of appearing as himself on-screen or being played by another actor, he’ll be portrayed as a monkey. 

No, we’re not making this up.  

In what is set to be the strangest biopics ever, the singer will appear as a CGI monkey, and the trick will be pulled off by actor Jonno Davies via motion capture technology. Williams will provide the voiceover and his singing voice.  

The trailer has just come out and has already gone viral, racking up more than 6 million (and counting) views in a matter of hours.  

“I’m Robbie Williams. I’m one of the biggest pop stars in the world. But I’ve always seen myself a little less… evolved,” the singer explains via voiceover in the trailer. 

Then… Well, check it out for yourself:  

According to Paramount Pictures, Better Man is “based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. The film is uniquely told from Robbie’s perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.” 

Doesn’t explain the monkey though.  

Thankfully, a new featurette accompanying the teaser trailer has been released, in which Williams and director Michael Gracey address the decision to have Williams’ life story be portrayed on the big screen by a monkey.  

According to Gracey, he asked Williams: “If you were an animal, how would you see yourself? In your own words, you refer to being dragged up on stage to perform like a monkey. I immediately thought to portray you not as we see you, but as how you see yourself… With your voice and that monkey, I am going to see you and relate to you in a way that is going to be more engaging than yet another musical biopic.” 

Fair enough.  

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We don’t know about you, but we’re intrigued.  

Better Man has played at the Telluride and Toronto film festivals, and the reception has so far been positive. The film will be released in the UK on Boxing Day and will begin its wider European rollout at the beginning of next year.