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Pharrell Williams Cancels Biopic Musical “Golden”
Pharrell Williams has decided to halt production on his upcoming movie musical biopic, Golden. According to a report by Variety, the film, directed by Michel Gondry and originally slated for a May 5 release, will no longer move forward. The decision was communicated through a joint statement from Williams and Gondry, in which they expressed that “there wasn’t a path forward to tell the version of this story that we originally envisioned.” They also acknowledged the dedication of the talented cast and crew involved in the project, expressing disappointment over the film’s cancellation while hinting at future collaborations with Universal, the film’s production partner.
Golden had already completed filming, featuring a diverse and acclaimed cast that included Halle Bailey, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monáe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Anderson .Paak, and Quinta Brunson. The film aimed to depict a coming-of-age narrative centered around Williams’ childhood in Virginia Beach during the 1970s. It was envisioned as a tribute to Black life, culture, and particularly the essence of Black joy, a theme Williams elaborated on in a 2024 interview.
The cancellation of Golden presents a significant financial setback, as Universal Pictures is expected to absorb approximately $20 million in production costs. This situation echoes the recent trend in the film industry where ambitious projects are often abandoned mid-production due to various challenges. Notably, Universal’s sister company, Focus Features, previously released Piece by Piece, a unique quasi-documentary that portrayed Pharrell Williams’ life through the medium of Lego minifigures, showcasing the artist’s creativity and influence in a different format.
Source
pitchfork.com