Robbie Williams has addressed the buzzing question on everyone’s lips: why is he portrayed by a CGI monkey in his upcoming biopic, Better Man? The bold creative decision has sparked both intrigue and debate since the teaser dropped in October. The film, directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), hits UK cinemas on Boxing Day (December 26) and select US theaters on Christmas Day (December 25).
Appearing on The One Show last night (November 26), Williams explained that the concept was born from Gracey’s imaginative vision. Host Lauren Laverne probed why an actor wasn’t cast to play the pop icon, to which Robbie responded with characteristic humor and charm.
“Well Jonno Davies is the actor behind the CGI chimpanzee me – who does a remarkable, incredible job,” Robbie began, before adding, “I love eccentricity and I love unusual and I love surreal – and it made complete sense to me as soon as Gracey pitched it to me. I don’t know if this film would be as talked about if it hadn’t had the monkey in it.”
For director Michael Gracey, this surreal representation allowed the story to transcend conventional biopic tropes and delve deeper into Robbie’s psyche: “You see more of Rob in the monkey than you would if it was an actor playing him.”
Laverne, who had seen a preview of the film, agreed: “Within about 10 minutes you’re like, ‘Of course! Perfect!”
Better Man is not your typical rags-to-riches rock star story. It chronicles the meteoric rise, crushing lows, and triumphant return of one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers. Using recordings from year-long studio conversations between Williams and Gracey, the film incorporates Robbie’s own voice for introspective narration, blending authenticity with its unconventional approach.
The decision to feature a CGI chimp stirred reactions online, ranging from “totally bananas” to “genius.” But, as Gracey hinted early on, the biopic’s unique style reflects the essence of its subject: bold, unapologetic, and endlessly entertaining.
For fans of Robbie Williams, Better Man promises to be as unexpected and charismatic as the man himself.
Photo: Dork
