EXCLUSIVE: Robbie Williams biopic Better Man to be filmed in Melbourne as part of ‘$80 million deal’ to inject money into Australia’s film industry
Robbie Williams is the latest star cashing in on Australia’s film boom.
Daily Mail Australia understands the British singer, 47, is set to fly Down Under in the coming months to begin production on his upcoming biopic, Better Man.
The Greatest Showman’s Michael Gracey is said to be directing the upcoming project in his hometown of Melbourne.
EXCLUSIVE: Robbie Williams is said to be the latest star cashing on Australia’s film boom with his upcoming biopic, Better Man, tipped to be filming in Melbourne in the coming weeks
While exact details of the deal haven’t yet been announced, a movie source said that the project is ‘part of a $80million deal’ to ‘continue injecting money into the film industry’.
Robbie will temporarily relocate to Melbourne and security guards have been inspecting several mansions in the city for the singer.
Principal cinematography set to begin in the first three months of 2022.
Heading Down Under: Daily Mail Australia understands the British singer, 47, is set to fly Down Under in the coming months to begin production on his upcoming biopic, Better Man
New deal: While exact details of the deal haven’t yet been announced, a movie source has claimed that the project is ‘part of a $80million deal’. Pictured: Melbourne-based director Michael Gracey
The news comes four months after Rocket Science reportedly inked a deal with Village Roadshow Australia to distribute the film upon release.
The biopic will tell the story of Williams’ ascent, exploring the experiences that made him who he is, and the demons he battled both on and off the stage.
It comes amid rumours the musician will be reimagined as a CGI monkey rather than be depicted by an actor in real life.
‘As for how we represent Robbie in the film, that bit is top secret,’ Gracey told Deadline back in February. ‘I want to do this in a really original way,’ he added.
‘I remember going to the cinema as a kid and there were films that blew me away and made me say as I sat there in the cinema, “I’ve never seen this before.” I just want the audience to have that feeling.’
Life story: The film follows the singer, 47, on his rise to the fame and the demons he battled both on and off the stage
Michael said the film will not be like Rocketman or Bohemian Rhapsody, which were about musical prodigies that the world had to catch up to.
He described Robbie as an ‘everyman’ who has an ‘incredibly relatable story’ about following your dreams.
Robbie found fame as a teenager as a member of Take That and found wider success when he went solo in 1996.
The film comes off the back of the success of Gracey’s Amazon documentary, Pink: All I Know So Far, following the singer, whose real name is Alecia Moore on tour.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out for comment.
Career: Robbie found fame as a teenager as a member of Take That and found wider success when he went solo in 1996