Piece by Piece | |
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Directed by | Morgan Neville |
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Starring | Pharrell Williams |
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Music by | Pharrell Williams (songs and themes) Michael Andrews (score) |
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Running time | 93 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Piece by Piece is a 2024 American animated biographical film co-produced and directed by Morgan Neville. It follows the life and career of American singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, who stars in the film, through the lens of Lego animation. Produced by The Lego Group, Tremolo Productions, Williams' I Am Other, Pure Imagination Studios and Tongal, Piece by Piece will mark the fifth theatrical Lego-based film and the first under Universal Pictures's run of their film rights. Alongside Williams and Neville, the film stars the voices of Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg.
Williams had considered creating a film about his life since 2013, though serious plans for a documentary in animated musical form started in 2019 following a discussion between Williams and Neville. Neville interviewed with Williams' associates remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, and later shot certain live-action scenes with him. The Lego Group created minifigure pieces that better represent the styles of African-American culture, as well as Williams's frequent collaborators, and designed new pieces for music equipment. Williams, who also produces, wrote five original songs for the film.
Piece by Piece premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 30, 2024, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2024, and will close the 68th BFI London Film Festival on October 20, 2024, and is scheduled to be released theatrically in the United States on October 11 through Focus Features, with Universal handling international distribution. It has received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the voice acting, direction, humor, soundtrack, and animation.