Pharrell Williams has officially canceled the upcoming musical biopic, Golden. The film, once set to premiere on May 5 and directed by Michel Gondry, will not be released due to an inability to convey the story as originally intended. A statement from Williams and Gondry expressed gratitude to the talented cast and crew but acknowledged their disappointment in the cancellation. They also mentioned their positive relationships with Universal Pictures, hinting at future collaborations.
Golden featured an impressive lineup, including Halle Bailey, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monáe, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Anderson .Paak, and Quinta Brunson. The film was poised to explore Williams’ childhood in Virginia Beach during the 1970s, aiming to celebrate Black life, culture, and joy.
Universal Pictures will reportedly absorb around $20 million in production costs as a result of the cancellation. Last year, the studio’s sister distributor released Piece by Piece, a unique quasi-documentary exploring Pharrell Williams’ life through Lego minifigures.
