Jan 26, 2024

Pharrell Williams is producing an animated Lego biopic directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville.

Pharrell Williams, 13-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Academy Award nominee, tells the story of his life in "Piece by Piece," a Lego animated biopic directed by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville. The film will open in the U.S. on October 11.

Feel free to read the opening paragraphs again if you need to, as there is a lot packed into them.

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In the release announcing the project, Focus Features describes the film as:

Pharrell Williams' creative genius is an unparalleled cinematic experience that captures the magic and brilliance of the world one LEGO brick at a time. Uninterested in making a conventional film about his life, Pharrell sought to tell his story in a way that would set the audience's imagination free. Born from his original vision, "Piece by Piece" defies genres and expectations and transports the audience into a Lego world where anything is possible.

Today's press release does not include information about which animation studio is working on the film or whether it will be stop-motion or CG animation. Cartoon Brew requested more information from the studio, but was told that only the information in the press release would be shared today.

"Piece by Piece" is directed by Morgan Neville, who won an Oscar for his 2013 documentary "20 Feet from Stardom." Neville is also the producer of I Am Another with Caitlin Rogers at Tremolo Productions with Williams, Mimi Valdez, and Shani Saxon. Jill Wilfert and Keith Malone are executive producers for The Lego Group.

In a release accompanying today's announcement, Neville said:

Five years ago, Pharrell Williams approached me about helping him tell his story through Lego Animation. It was one of those rare moments when I knew instantly that this was the journey I wanted to go on. I am grateful to our partners at Focus Features and The LEGO Group for believing in our crazy mission. We have assembled an amazing team of creative collaborators to create a new kind of film. I can't wait for everyone to see it."

Williams added:

When I had the crazy vision of telling this story through Lego bricks, I couldn't imagine a better partner than Morgan. He is a legend. I am grateful that Focus wanted to collaborate with us and I am honored to share this with the world and bring people into my world. Building with LEGO bricks encourages us to follow our imagination: ...... Who would have thought that playing with these toys as a child would evolve into a film about my life. ......