The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey is once again proving he isn’t afraid of ambitious, big-scale filmmaking, as thousands of mega music fans packed a Melbourne stadium for the filming of Better Man.
British pop star Robbie Williams took to the stage at Rod Laver Arena to perform his greatest hits for the $100 million feature, recreating some of his most iconic performances in front of an energetic Melbourne crowd.
One of the largest films ever to be made in Victoria, Australia’s most southern mainland state, Better Man is also filming at Docklands Studios Melbourne – the first production to shoot in the studios’ new 40,000 sqft (3,700 sqm) super sound stage.
“I’m so excited I am making this movie in Victoria with my friend Michael Gracey.”
Robbie Williams
The singer rose to fame with boy band sensation Take That in the 1990s before a hugely successful solo career. Better Man follows Williams’ journey from working-class roots to stadium-filling stardom, depicting the experiences that shaped him, and the demons he battled on and off stage.
Melbourne-born Gracey, who was an Executive Producer on the Elton John biopic Rocketman and is also a co-writer on Better Man, said to tell Williams’ beautiful, distinct story, back home, is a dream come true.
“There is a creative energy that burns across the Melbourne film industry.”
Michael Gracey, Director and Co-writer of Better Man
Better Man was attracted to Melbourne through VicScreen’s Victorian Screen Incentive, and is filming alongside NBC’s hit sci-fi series La Brea which has returned to Victoria for its much-anticipated second season.
Want to find out more about filming in Victoria?
Contact Joe Brinkmann, Manager of Production Attraction & Support at VicScreen at joe.brinkmann@vicscreen.vic.gov.au