(Left) Pharrell Williams arrives for the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from Hollywood, CA February 26, 2012. Credit/Provider: Heather Ikei / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Michel Gondry accepts the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay during the 77th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 27, 2005. HO/AMPAS. Credit/Provider: HAND OUT. Copyright: AMPAS
Preview:
- Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry are ending editing work on their movie ‘Golden.’
- Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey and Da’Vine Joy Randolph were among the stars.
- The film is unlikely to ever see the light of day.
It’s a hard, old truth in Hollywood and beyond that movies can hit roadblocks at any stage in the process. Some are lost forever in the deep wells of development hell. Others reach production, but money issues curtail shooting, or problems arise.
And then there are the unusual stories of movies that make it all the way through the shoot, only to fall apart at the final hurdle.
In the last couple of years, we’ve seen the frustrating behavior of Warner Bros., overseen by money-grubbing CEO David Zaslav, who has decreed that movies he and his accountants aren’t sure will be financially viable should be locked away or deleted forever, the studio instead taking a tax hit: ‘Batgirl’ and ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ are the two that we know about.
But ‘Golden,’ the movie formerly known as ‘Atlantis,’ a collaboration between musician Pharrell Williams and visual stylist/filmmaker Michel Gondry, is a different case altogether.
According to Variety, they’ve been editing the new movie, and have decided it simply doesn’t work. And that’s despite Universal assigning a release date for May.
What’s the story of ‘Golden?’
Pharrell Williams stars in director Morgan Neville’s ‘Piece By Piece’, a Focus Features release. Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.
‘Golden’ came about following Universal’s collaboration with Pharrell on ‘Piece by Piece.’ Distributed by the company’s Focus Features arm, the unusual biopic told his life story through the medium of LEGO animation.
‘Piece by Piece’ was not exactly a success for the company –– it actually lost money, taking in $10 million worldwide on a $16 million budget –– but given the musician’s long connection to the studio (he’s provided hit music for the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise among others), it was seemingly happy to keep working with him.
This new movie put him together with Gondry, the French filmmaker behind the likes of ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘Be Kind Rewind.’
Gondry agreed to direct from a script by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson.
Described as a musical expedition set in the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, it was to have told more of a coming-of-age story than anything directly influenced by Williams’ story (aside from the setting).
Here’s what he told Empire about the movie and how it differs from his previous project:
“ ‘Piece By Piece’ is about my life, whereas ‘Golden’ is about a neighborhood that I grew up in. 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.”
And while it was originally named ‘Atlantis’ after the building from Williams’ early life, he also explained the title change:
“It just speaks to the narrative, the area, the energy and literally everything about the film, which is this analysis of what being ‘golden’ is. Children and grown-ups with inner children within them can connect to it and realise that there’s a golden aspect to them too, whether it’s realised or latent.”
Together, Gondry and Williams rounded up an impressive cast that included Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry, Janelle Monáe, Missy Elliott, Quinta Brunson, Anderson Paak and Jaboukie Young-White, with cameras rolling last year.
Related Article: Director Morgan Neville Talks ‘Piece By Piece’, Pharrell Williams and LEGO
What has happened since then?
Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams serves as music consultant for the 84th Academy Awards, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer. Credit/Provider: Jam Sutton.
Unfortunately for those anticipating the new movie, it has now been shut down after unanimous agreement from producers and Gondry that the film did not live up to its developed conceit.
Gil Netter (‘The Blind Side’) was serving as producer alongside Williams and his creative partner Mimi Valdes.
Here’s what the main duo told Variety about the decision to halt work:
“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. 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.”
And in case you’re wondering whether it’ll find release in some other venue, the disappointing news is that it’ll apparently never see the light of day. So your visions of Gondry and Williams somehow whipping up a hand puppet version of the story are unlikely to come to fruition.
What else are Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry working on?
Kerry Washington in ‘The Six Triple Eight’. Photo: Netflix.
It’s not the pair doesn’t have plenty of other projects to keep them busy.
Pharrell is currently serving as the men’s creative director at fashion house Louis Vuitton.
He last contributed original music to the Tyler Perry film ‘The Six Triple Eight,’ released by Netflix in December.
Gondry’s other movie credits include ‘The Science of Sleep,’ and ‘The Book of Solutions,’ along with Jim Carrey-starring TV series ‘Kidding.’
His next project is the animated ‘Maya, Give Me A Title,’ about his relationship with his daughter. It will screen at this month’s Berlin Film Festival.
Oscar®-nominated for Best Song, Pharrell Williams on stage during the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
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