Robbie Williams movie 'Better Man': Cast, release date, plot, songs and more revealed

6 March 2024, 13:54

Robbie Williams is one of the biggest selling UK artists of all time.

The singer from Stoke's life story will be played out on the silver screen in a big-budget biopic entitled Better Man.

Robbie Williams and Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey, who directed the box-office smash The Greatest Showman, are in charge of the project and cast and crew have been spotted filming iconic scenes from the star's life on the streets of London.

Robbie fans were given the chance to appear in the film in November 2022, when Robbie filmed two shows at London's Royal Albert Hall for the movie.

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With news that the movie is well on its way, we bring you everything you need to know about the former Take That star's film's plot, cast, soundtrack, release date and more.

1. What do we know so far about Robbie Williams' 'Better Man'?

   

   The film has been billed as 'a musical fantasy' and is being filmed in the Docklands Studios in Melbourne throughout 2022, and in the UK in 2023.

   Back in December 2021, director Michael Gracey made an official announcement that the Robbie Williams film was being made.

   "To tell Robbie Williams’s beautiful, distinct story, back home, in my own city, is a dream come true," he enthused.

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   "There is a creative energy that burns across the Melbourne film industry, and I know this movie will thrive here."

   Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, and Gracey wrote the film's screenplay together and the Better Man's producers are Paul Currie, Gracey, Coco Xiaolu Ma, Jules Daly, and Craig McMahon.

   In typical Robbie Williams style, the singer hasn't held back in revealing the ups and downs behind the making of the film.

   Speaking about the biopic, Robbie said: "The thing is about films is that it is a wonder anything gets made.

   "Everything gets held up in a bottleneck. It is always, 'This person says no and this person says yes and this person is offended and this person is not offended enough.' It is agents and lawyers."

2. Who will star in Robbie Williams' 'Better Man'?

   

   Robbie Williams is set to star as himself in the new movie about his life.

   The Stoke legend will take the lead role and British actor Jonno Davies, 29, who has been spotted dancing on London's Regent Street dressed as the star – plays the younger version of Robbie.

   Actor Jake Simmance plays Robbie's Take That bandmate Gary Barlow, alongside Liam Head playing Howard Donald, Jesse Hyde as Mark Owen and Chase Vollenweider playing Jason Orange.

   Steve Pemberton plays his dad Peter, while Alison Steadman plays mum Betty.

3. 'Better Man' soundtrack: What songs will be in the film?

   

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   Insiders are being secretive about what will appear on the soundtrack to the Robbie Williams movie.

   With smash hits including 'Angels', 'She's The One', 'Supreme', 'Feel', 'Rock DJ' and many more to choose from, producers may be struggling to reduce them down to just a few!

   Speaking to Deadline in 2021, Gracey confirmed the songs will be adapted for the film.

   “All Robbie’s songs will be re-sung, for the emotion of the moment,” he said.

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   "If he’s in the depths of despair, he’s not going to sing a song as cabaret flamboyant showmanship; it’s going to be broken, acapella, stripped down, because that’s where he is emotionally. In moments of pure joy, you’ll get songs sung in this whirlwind of hysteria.

   "So essentially every song in the film, Robbie will sing, but it will be performed for the emotion of that moment, and that scene.”

   

   Robbie Williams - Feel (Official Video)

4. When will Better Man be released?

   

   After much anticipation, Paramount has confirmed Robbie Williams' biopic Better Man will be released in late 2024.

   The production company announced in February 2024 that the movie will be released in America on December 25, and the UK on January 17, 2025.

   The film, which started production in May 2022, has not yet had its trailer release, but should be coming very soon.

   Watch this space...