The move made by LEGO into the world of cinema has so far brought with it plenty of joy.FromThe Lego Movieto itsBatmancounterpart, thetimeless building blocks have provided the platform for many a memorable modern movie moment. With toys now more popular on screens than ever - here’s looking at youBarbie- it seems as if the creative license taken by artists is getting wider. With that in mind, it still wasn’t on many peoples' Bingo cards to see a musical biopic about thelife of Pharrell Williams told in Lego form.
One of the most enticing movies on the slate for October 2024, it’s difficult to look beyondPiece by Pieceas one of the few must-watch projects this fall.A blend of documentary, animation, comedy, and biographic drama, there’s nothing else like it in theaters at the moment. So, with all that in mind, and with momentum building like a LEGO car racing toward release, here’s everything we know aboutPiece by Pieceso far.
6Does ‘Piece by Piece’ Have a Release Date?
Officially,Piece by Piecewill debut on Friday, July 25, 2025. Piece by Piece joins an exciting day for movie fans, withTerrifier 3and thehotly-anticipated comedySaturday Nightalso arriving.
5Where Can You Watch ‘Piece by Piece’?
you may catchPiece by Piecein theaterson the aforementioned release date unless you were one of the lucky few to catch it at the 51st Telluride Film Festival or September’s Toronto International Film Festival. As a product of Focus Films and Universal, it’s likely we will seePiece by Piecehead to streaming on Peacock at some point in the future.
4Is There a Trailer for ‘Piece by Piece’?
Yes! Back in June, the official trailer forPiece by Piecewas released by Focus Features and is available to watch above.An exciting display of the innovative movie in full flow, one of the biggest takeaways from this trailer is the voice work on display, with a plethora of musical icons all lending their voices to the project, including, of course, Pharrell himself, as well asJay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and many more. To hear these legends in such a unique setting makes for an unforgettable experience unlikely to be replicated soon, something touched on byJason Gorberin his glowingreview of the film for Collider:
“It’s unlikely that we’re soon to be treated to a slew of LEGO-oriented works of non-fiction, nor can too many subjects warrant this kind of blockbuster aesthetic to be applied to their own journey. This makes this film feel particularly special, akin to getting away with something quite wonderful, granting a master storyteller the means and the mode to tell with both creative and formalist freedom the story of his subject. In turn,Pharell is given another mode to reflect his aesthetic vision, incorporating not only his musical journey but his spiritual one as well.
Fans of Pharell will be in for a delight, of course, but what’s most effective about the general structure of the film is how it goes well beyond a need to have a predisposed adoration for the subject. There are bigger questions at play here, and never once does it succumb to either feeling didactic or maudlin. And so, bit by bit,Neville’s take on Pharell’s story is constructed to be something quite special, a wonderful synergy between subject and form, showing a new way of using the modes of documentary, animation, storytelling and musical creation to craft something colorful, and something wonderful. It’s a film that’s serious about play, and humble about the need for joy.Piece By Pieceis, quite simply, bricktacularly brilliant.”
3Who Stars in ‘Piece by Piece’?
As touched on earlier,Piece by Pieceis acelebration of the life of one of modern music’s most intelligent mindsand uses a host of the industry’s biggest names to help tell that story. Alongside Pharrell, Jay-Z, and Kendrick, the movie also includes the vocal work ofGwen Stefani, Timbaland, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Justin Timberlake, Daft Punk, N.O.R.E, Pusha T, and the movie’s co-writer and director,Morgan Neville. Speaking in an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, Pharrell admitted how he’d love for this project to inspire others, saying:
“It’s never too late for you to go pick up a Lego set and make things and be a co-creator. It’s never too late to wake up to that. It’s never too late to gain that self-awareness. This is my dream, for people to have that.”
2What Is ‘Piece by Piece’ About?
An official synopsis forPiece by Piecereads:
“Piece by Piece is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.”
1Who Made ‘Piece by Piece’?
Besides Pharrell himself, themain force behindPiece by Pieceis the aforementioned Neville, who is a character within the tale as well as a co-writer, producer, and director. Alongside Neville in the writing room areOscar Vazquez, Jason Zeldes, andAaron Wickenden, with the latter also appearing in the film. Executive producers on the project include the likes ofJames DeJulio, Sanjee Gupta, David Lawrence,andKeith Malone.
Piece by Piece
This innovative film uses LEGO® animation to tell the life story of music icon Pharrell Williams, charting his journey from childhood dreams to becoming one of the most influential figures in the music industry.
