‘Victorian ingenuity’: Robbie Williams’ new movie is the ultimate plug for Melbourne

Robbie Williams being depicted as a CGI monkey isn’t the only surprise awaiting fans in new blockbuster Better Man — a huge line-up of Melbourne landmarks ready to wow on the big screen come Boxing Day.

The bold, brilliant, spectacular and surprising movie Better Man, based on the life of British superstar Robbie Williams, is an extraordinary feat of filmmaking while also being a glorious calling card for Melbourne.

Better Man, co-produced, co-written and directed by Melbourne born Michael Gracey, was shot in Melbourne in 2022.

Its Melbourne premiere was held on Wednesday with creatives, including Gracey, Paul Currie and Craig McMahon, and cast, including Jonno Davies, Damon Herriman and Raechelle Banno, among the hundreds of guests. Williams was not able to attending owing to international premieres of the film.

Raechelle Banno, Director Michael Gracey and Jonno Davies walk the red carpet for the premiere of Better Man in Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

Raechelle Banno and Jonno Davies. Picture: Mark Stewart

The film is built around the central character of Williams which is played by a CGI monkey.

Numerous Melbourne locations were used during filming including three soundstages at the Docklands Studios, Rod Laver Arena, Cruden Farm at Langwarrin, Fawkner Bowls Club, the Intercontinental Melbourne hotel, the Sunbury Asylum, Crown Casino, the Stella Maris Seafearers Centre, the Colonial Hotel, the Alan Eaton Studio in St Kilda, the Columban Mission Centre in Essendon, the University of Melbourne, the Melbourne Pavilion and the Melbourne Town Hall.

Robbie Williams’ new film is an extraordinary call card to Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

The film is built around the central character of Williams which is played by a CGI monkey. Picture: Supplied

An iconic Williams performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall was recreated on a sound stage at Dockland Studios, while for a stunning dance number set on the deck of a superyacht, a giant boat was also built at the Docklands studios.

An astonishing choreographed piece to Williams’ hit Rock DJ was set in London’s famed Regent Street and the recreation of Williams’ performance at the 2003 Knebworth Festival was filmed in Serbia with 2000 extras.

Robbie Williams and Ayda Field attend the Better Man European Premiere in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

The Better Man production was supported by VicScreen with CEO Caroline Pitcher describing it as an incredibly important film for the state’s screen industry and one that could encourage other film makers to choose Victoria as the setting for their projects.

“The uniqueness of Better Man is that it has international scale, but at the heart of the creative is Victorian ingenuity and ideas and that is such a beautiful benefit to having Michael Gracey and the two writers being Melbourne based and Melburnians,” Pitcher said.

“It is so important to the Victorian screen industry. This is proof that we can create and make blockbuster global quality feature films.

“I have no doubt when Better Man releases on Boxing Day and beyond, eyes will be on Victoria.”

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said the Victorian government was proud to have brought Better Man to Melbourne.

“It is the largest film production ever made in Victoria,” Brooks said.

“It created 2,920 jobs, including 428 from regional Victoria, supported 904 local businesses, and injected over $142 million into Victoria’s economy.”