A highly anticipated musical film chronicling the childhood of Pharrell Williams has been permanently shelved and will not be released in any form. The movie, originally titled Atlantis and later renamed Golden, was directed by renowned filmmaker Michel Gondry, best known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Despite being slated for a wide release by Universal Pictures on May 5, sources confirmed to Variety that the film’s release has been cancelled after internal delays last year.
Golden boasted an all-star cast, including prominent figures like Kelvin Harrison Jr, Halle Bailey, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry, Janelle Monáe, Missy Elliott, Quinta Brunson, Anderson .Paak, and Jaboukie Young-White. The film was positioned as an exciting collaboration between Williams and Universal, who have worked together on various successful projects, including Williams’ contributions as a composer for the Despicable Me franchise.
According to sources close to the production, the decision to cancel the film came after a unanimous agreement between producers and Gondry that Golden did not meet the creative vision that had been initially conceived. The film had entered the early stages of postproduction before its cancellation.
In a joint statement provided to Variety, Williams and Gondry explained the creative struggles that led to the film’s termination. “When all of us got into the editing room, we collectively decided there wasn’t a path forward to tell the version of this story that we originally envisioned,” the statement read. “We appreciate all the hard work of the talented cast and crew. While we’re disappointed we can’t deliver this film, we have incredible partners at Universal and will collaborate in a different capacity again soon.”
Golden was produced by Williams, his creative partner Mimi Valdes, and Gil Netter, known for his work on The Blind Side. Universal Pictures, which financed the film, confirmed that the studio will absorb an estimated $20 million in costs already invested in production. However, the studio refrained from providing further comments, deferring to the statement from Williams and Gondry.
The film’s cancellation marks a rare and significant move for Universal, which is typically known for following through on projects even when they face difficulties. The studio’s decision to walk away from a project so close to completion is noteworthy, especially given the financial and creative investment made. While some studios, such as Warner Bros., have shelved films in the past to claim tax losses, Golden’s situation differs in that it was a creative decision made by the filmmakers and the studio in consultation with each other.
Despite the financial loss, Universal has long maintained a strong relationship with Williams, who is also the men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton. The studio has numerous overall deals with high-profile creators such as Jordan Peele, Amy Pascal, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, LeBron James, and Judd Apatow, among others. Last year, Universal’s prestige label Focus Features released Piece by Piece, a documentary about Williams’ life and career, told through the use of Lego figures.
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While the film’s cancellation comes as a disappointment to many, the reasons behind it remain somewhat unclear. In a November interview with Empire magazine, Williams offered a glimpse into what Golden was meant to convey. He described the film as a musical set in the summer of 1977 in Virginia Beach, telling the story of self-discovery, dream-chasing, and Black joy. “It’s a coming-of-age story about self-discovery and pursuing your dreams, but it’s so much more magical than that,” Williams said. “It’s a celebration of Black life, Black culture, and most importantly, Black joy.”
Golden was poised to feature original music by the award-winning songwriting duo Pasek and Paul, who had collaborated with Williams on the project. However, as the film failed to meet the expectations set by its creatives, its release was ultimately scrapped.
Williams, who continues to make waves in both the music and fashion industries, recently contributed original music to The Six Triple Eight, a film directed by Tyler Perry and released by Netflix. Gondry, for his part, continues to work on new projects, with his upcoming animated film Maya, Give Me a Title set to screen at the Berlin Film Festival later this month.
Though Golden will never see the light of day, the collaboration between Williams and Universal remains intact, with both parties eager to work together on future ventures. While fans may have to wait for the next big project from the influential artist and filmmaker duo, their shared commitment to creativity suggests that exciting things lie ahead.
