Music superstar Pharrell Williams is bringing his singular life story to the big screen in an unexpected way – with Legos. The acclaimed recording artist and producer has co-developed an animated film titled “Piece by Piece” that will use the popular children’s building blocks to recount his artistic journey.
Directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville (“Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” “20 Feet From Stardom”) and produced by Neville’s Tremolo Productions alongside Williams’ company i am OTHER, the film promises to “defy genres and expectations.” It is being billed as a “motion picture experience that captures the magic and brilliance of Pharrell’s creative genius one Lego brick at a time.”
Focus Features will release “Piece by Piece” on Oct. 11, 2024. In a statement, Focus Chairman Peter Kujawski called Williams “a true trailblazer whose influence across music, art and fashion continually reshapes global culture with an undeniable sense of joy.”
The film has Williams’ enthusiastic backing. “When I had this crazy vision to tell this story through Lego bricks, I couldn’t have imagined a better partner than Morgan,” Williams said, adding that “building with Lego bricks encourages us to follow our imagination.”
Jill Wilfert, a Lego executive, said the company views the film as an ideal merger of creativity, noting that “the combined creativity of Pharrell and the Lego brick is truly something special.”
Over a decades-plus career, Williams has won 13 Grammys and scored Oscar nods for the song “Happy” and as a producer of “Hidden Figures.” Last year, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
With its playful medium, “Piece by Piece” promises a colorful look at the universally-known Williams as fans have never seen him before.