Piece by Piece: Trailer, Release date, cast, plot, Music, & Everything we know About Pharrell Williams’ LEGO-Animated Biopic

The highly anticipated animated biopic Piece by Piece is taking the world of cinema by storm. It just released a second trailer, offering an even closer look at Pharrell Williams' life and creative journey. 

What makes this film stand out? It’s not your average documentary — it’s told entirely through LEGO animation, a groundbreaking approach for a biographical film. Directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville, Piece by Piece takes us on a colorful, imaginative journey through Pharrell’s evolution as an artist, exploring his influences, musical milestones, and collaborations that shaped his career.

In this latest sneak peek, the trailer gives fans a fresh look at Pharrell’s creative process, showing how his innovative mindset has left an indelible mark across multiple industries. As Pharrell once hinted, the decision to use LEGO bricks was inspired by his desire to tell his story in a way that reflects his unique artistic vision. 

Fans can expect to see key moments of his life brought to life in this visually stunning format, with animated cameos from some of his famous collaborators, such as Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, and Jay Z.

What else does this film have in store? We’ll cover everything you need to know, from the film’s unique production style to the excitement it’s generating in early screenings. And don’t worry, as more information comes in, we’ll keep updating this page with the latest news and surprises about Piece by Piece. 

Release date & Where to Watch

Piece by Piece is set for a theatrical release in the US on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, with UK audiences able to catch it starting Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. 

The film, rated PG for language, thematic elements, and some suggestive material, has already garnered critical acclaim for its animation, voice acting, humor, direction, and soundtrack.

It made its world premiere at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, followed by a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, and will close the 68th BFI London Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. 

A release on Peacock is expected around January or February 2025, depending on its box office performance.

Plot 

Piece by Piece is an animated biopic that offers a fresh, imaginative look into Pharrell Williams' life and artistic journey. Using LEGO animation as a storytelling tool, the film follows his evolution as one of music's most innovative creators. Key moments in his career are reenacted with LEGO models, symbolizing the significance of each milestone in his life and artistic process.

Pharrell, who was initially reluctant about making a traditional biopic, found the perfect medium with director Morgan Neville. The film features interviews with famous collaborators like Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, and Jay-Z, who had no idea they would be portrayed in LEGO form, allowing for raw and genuine reactions.

Driven by a desire to inspire, Pharrell hopes Piece by Piece encourages people to pursue their own dreams and embrace creativity, no matter where they are in life. The film stands as a motivational tribute to self-expression and the power of imagination.

Voice cast

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• Pharrell Williams
• Gwen Stefani
• Kendrick Lamar
• Timbaland
• Justin Timberlake
• Busta Rhymes
• Jay-Z
• Snoop Dogg
• Morgan Neville 
• Andris Princis
• Chad Hugo
• N.O.R.E.
• Daft Punk 

Official Trailers

Music

Pharrell Williams composed five original songs for Piece by Piece. He described two tracks in particular, noting that one was created for a specific scene, while the other, which he called his "thesis," reflects his belief that "God is the greatest." The soundtrack also features music Williams co-wrote with Chad Hugo, along with collaborations such as Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" and Wreckx-n-Effect's "Rump Shaker."

During production, Williams also contributed early tracks and additional pieces of the score. The main film score, however, was composed by Michael Andrews. The first single from the soundtrack, "Piece by Piece," featuring the Princess Anne High School marching band, was released on September 6, 2024.

In Piece by Piece, Pharrell Williams reflects on meeting Snoop Dogg and how their collaboration led to the creation of the iconic beat for "Out of My Mind." Check out the clip below.

Behind the Scenes

Directed by Neville (The Saint of Second Chances, Steve! (Martin): A Documentary in Two Pieces), Piece by Piece brings together the creative forces of Williams, who wrote a new collection of songs for the film. The movie, produced by Neville, Mimi Valdés, and Caitrin Rogers, includes executive producers David Lawrence, Shani Saxon, Jill Wilfert, and Keith Malone.

Presented by Focus Features, the film is a collaboration between Tremolo Productions and The LEGO Group. It marks the fifth theatrical LEGO-based film and the first under Universal Pictures’ partnership with LEGO. 

Williams explained in an interview with Variety that the interviews were kept authentic by not disclosing the LEGO integration. This allowed for raw, unscripted responses, which added to the film's vivid and unique feel.