Michael Gracey, known for his direction of *The Greatest Showman*, is currently creating excitement around his latest cinematic project, *A Better Man*. This movie-musical is attracting attention for its intriguing premise, notably featuring a dancing CGI monkey, whose character is partially brought to life by prominent U.K. pop singer Robbie Williams.
Despite the film’s rising popularity, many Americans remain largely unaware of Robbie Williams. Williams gained fame in the 1990s as a member of the boy band Take That, making him roughly analogous to Justin Timberlake in the U.S. music industry. Over his illustrious career, he has sold over $21 million in records, with chart-topping hits like “Angels” and “Rock DJ.” With such a rich background, it’s no surprise that Williams’ life story and artistic journey were translated into a semi-biographical film format, provoking Gracey’s playful yet thought-provoking question: “What if he was a monkey?”
Michael Gracey on Keeping It “Real”While “Monkeying Around”in *A Better Man*
In an engaging discussion with The Mary Sue, Gracey delved into the choreography of *A Better Man*. He emphasized that despite the presence of a CGI ape as the central character, the dance sequences must maintain a sense of grounding and relatability. Gracey highlighted the importance of physicality in the film’s exuberant dance numbers, such as the viral Regent Street scene, insisting, “There’s got to be a physicality to it for you to believe that this is a real person in a real world.”
“You Just Buy Into the Character”: Gracey’s Awareness of Robbie Williams’ Limited Recognition in the U.S.
In bringing the character to life, Williamson’s monkey displays human-like qualities, thanks to the actor donning a motion capture suit for several reference shots. This choice adds depth to the storytelling, as fans will hear not only his voice but also witness movements inspired by his performance. Gracey acknowledges the bold decision to create a movie centered around a largely unknown pop icon in the U.S., coupled with the unique twist of transforming Williams into an actual monkey. He discussed his awareness that this film represents many Americans’ first exposure to Williams’s work.
I mean, we knew full well that the majority of America don’t know who Robbie Williams is. But then, you know, I don’t know whether the character Bradley Cooper plays in A Star is Born is based on a real person or not a real person. So what’s interesting is in a film like that, you just buy into the character. You invest and you care about them, and so for me, it was almost like for people who don’t know Robbie Williams, what’s amazing is they watch this like it’s an original musical like *The Greatest Showman*. They’re hearing the songs for the first time, they’re hearing the story for the first time, and that’s great. It’s just very different to people outside of the U.S. who obviously know who he is.
While “Angel” is expected to be a fan-favorite song, Gracey found himself particularly moved by the track “Something Beautiful.” He elaborated on the selection process for musical numbers, emphasizing that each song must contribute meaningfully to the narrative. For instance, the song “Better Man” perfectly aligns with the scene where Williams’ character exits rehab. In his view, “Something Beautiful” captures a poignant moment of self-honesty for the protagonist, a quality Gracey described as “incredibly human,” deftly adding irony to the whimsical premise of a dancing monkey.
*A Better Man* is currently showing in theaters around the globe.
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