By Oliver Warnock

Piece by Piece is an upcoming LEGO-inspired animated biopic, set to release on October 11, 2024. This film offers a take on the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams, creatively told through LEGO animation. Directed by Academy Award winner Morgan Neville, known for 20 Feet from Stardom and Won’t You Be My Neighbour?, the film combines elements of music, art, and of course LEGO. Pharrell is known for his groundbreaking contributions to art and fashion. He has also spent many years refining his art as a music producer and now turns to film production.

Born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pharrell began his career in the early 1990s as part of the production duo The Neptunes, alongside Chad Hugo. The Neptunes gained widespread recognition for producing hits for artists like Britney Spears, Jay-Z, and Justin Timberlake.

Pharrell’s solo career took off in the early 2000s with the release of his debut album In My Mind in 2006, followed by the massive global success of his 2013 single “Happy,” which became an anthem of positivity. He also co-founded the hip-hop rock band NERD with Chad Hugo and Shay Haley, blending different genres in a unique way.

The production team has stated that “rather than being a traditional biopic, Piece by Piece uses LEGO bricks as a metaphorical and literal medium to explore Pharrell’s journey, celebrating creativity, innovation, and the power of imagination”. The story emphasizes how playing with LEGO bricks as a child shaped Pharrell’s approach to life and art, symbolizing his ability to “build, unbuild, and rebuild” as he constantly reinvents himself, like piecing together a LEGO set. This metaphor ties into the broader message of the film, encouraging audiences to dream big and pursue their passions one step at a time.

The film features a star voice cast, including Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, and Justin Timberlake, among others. It also incorporates music as a central component, with Pharrell releasing original songs for the soundtrack. Alongside the original score, the soundtrack will include collaborations with iconic artists like Daft Punk and Snoop Dogg. Pharrell’s new single, also titled Piece by Piece, serves as the emotional heartbeat of the movie, reinforcing the theme of assembling life’s fragments to create something whole. In terms of visual style, the movie blends documentary and animated storytelling, making it a standout in both the LEGO and biopic genres, whilst still maintaining the classic comedy of the previous LEGO films. Premiering at prestigious film festivals such as TIFF, the movie has already garnered attention for its creative narrative approach and the distinctive use of LEGO animation to tell a deeply personal story​.

 At the 1509, we are looking forward to the release of the biopic and can assure a review will accompany the release date of the colourful fun filled film. At present, it has a Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 91%.