November 25th 2024.
Queen Elizabeth II's death was a tragic event that affected many people across the country. But it also had some unexpected consequences, including a loss of millions of dollars for the upcoming biopic on Robbie Williams. This film, which portrays the singer as a CGI monkey, was set to start filming in September of 2023. However, due to the Queen's passing, the production faced major setbacks.
Director Michael Gracey, known for his work on The Greatest Showman, had planned an elaborate musical number for the film, which required the closure of London's Regent Street for four nights. But with the official period of mourning in effect, his permits were revoked and insurance coverage was denied. This left the project in a difficult financial situation, with millions of dollars lost.
In an interview with HELLO!, Gracey shared, "On the Friday we were feeling very optimistic because the first night of filming was scheduled for Sunday. But then we received a call from the Crown Estate informing us of the Queen's passing and the 10-day mourning period. This meant we couldn't shoot and we lost all of the money. Unfortunately, there is no insurance coverage for the death of a monarch."
The production team had to wait another five months to resume filming on Regent Street, and they had to secure the necessary funds again. Gracey explained, "We lost millions of dollars and every time I watch the film, I can't help but think how close we were to not having that scene in the movie."
But even obtaining the permits in the first place was a challenge. Gracey described the process as a "nightmare," with the idea of shutting down an entire street for four nights causing issues with bus routes. They faced many rejections before the Royal Family's fondness for Robbie helped convince authorities to approve the filming plans.
"Fortunately, the land is owned by the Crown Estate and the royals are fans of Robbie, so with the help of Westminster Council and a lot of paperwork, we were able to shut down the street for four nights," Gracey shared.
Despite all the obstacles, the biopic was able to be completed and will soon be released. And as for the director's message for others facing similar challenges? "Never give up, keep pushing, and sometimes even the impossible can happen."
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