Pop icon Robbie Williams, known for his flamboyant stage presence and chart-topping hits, recently opened up about a humbling experience during the making of his biopic, “Better Man.”
In an exclusive interview with Collider, Williams revealed a clash of creative visions with director Michael Gracey over the film’s soundtrack. Initially, Williams, eager to showcase his musical prowess, championed a selection of high-energy, “banger” tracks.
Flamboyant Pop Star Robbie Williams Learning Humility Through Biopic Better Man
“I was sending these songs over, like, ‘That’s a banger. That’s a banger. You are wrong,'” Williams recounted, recalling his initial conviction. He even drew inspiration from Eminem’s experience with the “8 Mile” soundtrack, where the rapper reportedly insisted on using “Lose Yourself” despite initial reservations from the director.
However, as Williams later discovered, his initial instincts were misguided. “Then I saw the finished version, and I was like, ‘I totally get why those songs weren’t the ones chosen, and I totally get what you need there,'” he admitted. “What I was sending wasn’t a cuddle. What I was sending wasn’t soothing. What I was sending wasn’t healing.”
The experience, while humbling, proved valuable. “I learned a lot,” Williams acknowledged. “I was trying to be Eminem, but I wasn’t.” He ultimately found the right musical balance with the help of songwriter and producer Freddy Wexler, expressing gratitude for the collaborative process.
“Better Man,” which chronicles Williams’s rise to fame and his struggles with addiction and mental health, released on December 25th.
