When the movie was greenlit, there had not been an original Hollywood movie-musical for over 20 years. The film went on to become one of the highest grossing live-action musicals of all time, garnering 3 Golden Globe nods, a win for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award. Its original soundtrack went double platinum, and was the highest selling album of 2018.
In 2019, he executive produced Paramount’s Elton John biopic, Rocketman, with Taron Egerton, before directing and producing Amazon’s music documentary, P!nk: All I Know So Far in 2021. Most recently, Gracey wrote, directed and produced Paramount’s Better Man, an original musical biopic about the iconic British artist, Robbie Williams. The film debuted at Telluride and TIFF 2024, where critics have hailed it as “blazingly original” and “electrifyingly demented.” He is also attached to direct Paramount’s musical adaptation of the bestselling book, Nevermoor, and direct a musical based on the life of Luciano Pavarotti for the West End.
Gracey is a master of the set-piece, and has developed a sophisticated workflow which meticulously crafts and refines the spectacle for which he is known. This frees him on set to focus on emotional storytelling. He believes that the mood on set comes through in the final film, and if people are having fun with what they’re doing, then it translates on camera. For him, it all comes down to imagination and heart. “I love the idea that you can look around the world and see the theatre of life,” says Gracey. “See the magical and imaginative happening every day, even in the mundane. »
Gracey is a master of the set-piece, and has developed a sophisticated workflow which meticulously crafts and refines the spectacle for which he is known. This frees him on set to focus on emotional storytelling. He believes that the mood on set comes through in the final film, and if people are having fun with what they’re doing, then it translates on camera. For him, it all comes down to imagination and heart. “I love the idea that you can look around the world and see the theatre of life,” says Gracey. “See the magical and imaginative happening every day, even in the mundane. »
Better Man
Based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Robbie’s perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist — all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.
Drama
Music
