Pharrell’s Live-Action Musical Biopic ‘Golden’ Directed by Michel Gondry Scrapped
Did you know that Pharrell Williams had another biopic planned? Following his Lego movie Piece by Piece last year, Pharrell was planning a live-action musical biopic under Universal called Golden.
Originally titled Atlantis, the scrapped film was helmed by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director Michel Gondry and was set to star Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry, Janelle Monáe, Missy Elliott, Quinta Brunson, Anderson .Paak and comedian Jaboukie Young-White.
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Williams and Gondry have decided to scrap the movie in post-production because the final product didn’t live up to their standards.
“When all of us got into the editing room we collectively decided there wasn’t a path forward to tell the version of this story that we originally envisioned,” they told Variety in a joint statement, which was also sent to Billboard. “We appreciate all the hard work of the talented cast and crew. While we’re disappointed we can’t deliver this film, we have incredible partners at Universal and will collaborate in a different capacity again soon.”
Pharrell spoke with Empire last November about the differences between the two movies. “Piece by Piece is about my life, whereas Golden is about a neighborhood that I grew up in,” he explained. “This is very different. It’s a musical expedition, set in the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with the spirit of the music [of that time].”
Adding, “You know how in Dirty Dancing and Grease, the music was almost a character? That’s what it’s like in this film. It’s a coming-of-age story about self-discovery and pursuing your dreams, but it’s so much more magical than that. It’s a celebration of Black life, Black culture, and most importantly, Black joy.”
According to Variety, Golden had a tentative May 5 release date, and Universal will take a $20 million hit in costs already spent.
On the music side, Pharrell has reunited with his old friends the Clipse for their highly anticipated album Let God Sort Em Out, which should be released sometime this year.
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