The 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival opened with a cinematic blast, spotlighting Michael Gracey’s audacious Robbie Williams biopic Better Man. Moderated by TCM host Dave Karger, attendees were treated to a post-screening Q&A with the director, who delved into the quirky origins, artistic decisions, and jaw-dropping challenges behind the making of the film.
Gracey kicked off the session by recounting his unexpected introduction to Robbie Williams, courtesy of Hugh Jackman. While filming The Greatest Showman, Jackman couldn’t stop referencing Williams as the gold standard of showmanship. A fateful meeting at Williams’ home led to the pop icon championing the music of The Greatest Showman, helping the film—and Gracey’s directorial career—survive a critical juncture.
“Robbie’s enthusiasm is infectious,” Gracey noted. “He’s the type of guy who’d offer to bludgeon Hugh Jackman with a teacup just to play P.T. Barnum. That passion fueled this movie.”
Gracey’s vision for Better Man was as unconventional as Williams himself. He emphasized the biopic’s fantastical elements, leaning into a musical’s heightened reality. The decision to have a CGI monkey embody Williams caused initial confusion—both from financiers and Williams’ own wife—but Gracey stuck to his guns. “Once you start exploring someone’s internal life, why not go all the way?” he quipped.
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 02: Director Michael Gracey speaks onstage during the “Better Man” Palm Springs International Film Festival Opening Night Screening and Q&A at the Richards Center for the Arts at Palm Springs High School on January 02, 2025, in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
The Q&A also shed light on the film’s challenging production, particularly the ambitious Rock DJ dance sequence filmed on London’s Regent Street. The shoot was derailed when Queen Elizabeth II passed, resulting in a total loss of the initial budget. Five months later, Gracey rallied his team, securing additional funding to bring the pivotal moment to life. “That scene is pure joy,” he said, “and it’s something the audience—and this film—desperately needed.”
When asked about Williams’ involvement in the film, Gracey revealed that the singer was deeply engaged, throwing live concerts that were used as settings for the movie’s larger-than-life sequences. However, Williams wasn’t keen on the repetitive nature of filmmaking. Gracey recalled a candid exchange in which he told Williams he’d never make it as an actor due to his aversion to multiple takes. Williams’ response? “Don’t you just need to be a better director?”
With Better Man, Gracey captures the chaos, charm, and charisma of one of pop music’s most enigmatic figures. The film’s premiere signals an explosive start to the Palm Springs International Film Festival, setting the bar high for the days to come.
For those hungry for the full, unfiltered story straight from Michael Gracey, members of the Film Threat YouTube Channel can catch the entire post-screening Q&A on the Community Tab. From wild anecdotes about Robbie Williams’ larger-than-life personality to the chaos of shutting down Regent Street, it’s all there—raw, hilarious, and inspiring. Not a member yet? Join today to unlock exclusive content and support independent film coverage that cuts through the Hollywood noise.
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