Golden is an upcoming American coming-of-age musical film directed by Michel Gondry and co-produced by Pharrell Williams from a screenplay by Martin Hynes and Steven Levenson. Set in 1977, the film is semi-autobiographical and draws inspiration from Williams' childhood growing up in Virginia Beach's Atlantis Apartments.[1] It will star Kelvin Harrison Jr., Halle Bailey, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Brian Tyree Henry, Quinta Brunson, Janelle Monáe, Jaboukie Young-White, Tim Meadows, Anderson .Paak, Missy Elliott, and Andre 3000.

Golden
Directed byMichel Gondry
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLachlan Milne
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • May 9, 2025 (2025-05-09)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Golden is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 9, 2025, by Universal Pictures.

Cast

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Production

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On March 27, 2017, it was announced that 20th Century Fox was developing a musical film titled Atlantis, which is inspired by Pharrell Williams' childhood growing up in Virginia Beach's Atlantis Apartments. Michael Mayer, who would later move to an executive producer position, was set to direct, Martin Hynes was set to write the screenplay, and Williams, Mimi Valdés and Gil Netter were set to produce.[2][3]

No further updates on the project were announced until March 21, 2024, when Michel Gondry replaced Mayer as the director of the then-untitled film, which moved to Universal Pictures. Steven Levenson was revealed to have written the screenplay with Hynes, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Da'Vine Joy Randolph were cast to lead the film.[4] In the following months, Halle Bailey,[5] Brian Tyree Henry,[6] and Missy Elliott[7] were cast in April, Janelle Monáe,[8] Tim Meadows, Jaboukie Young-White, Jamilah Rosemond, and Jayson Lee were cast in May,[9] and Quinta Brunson and Anderson .Paak were cast in June.[10]

Filming began in June 2024 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where the pier was closed to the public for the shoot,[11] and the cast was seen in 1970s attire.[12] On August 29, 2024, the original title of Atlantis was confirmed for the film.[13] In November 2024, the film had been retitled to Golden.[14]

Music

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On August 29, 2024, it was announced that Pharrell Williams would be writing songs for the film alongside Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The film marks the latter duo's reuniting with co-screenwriter Steven Levenson following their work on the controversial 2021 film adaptation of their stage musical Dear Evan Hansen.[13]

Release

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Golden is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 9, 2025.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Pharrell Williams' untitled musical to film in Virginia". News 3 WTKR Norfolk. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  2. ^ McNary, Dave (March 27, 2017). "Pharrell Williams-Inspired Movie Musical 'Atlantis' in the Works at Fox". Variety.
  3. ^ Shea, Christopher D. (March 28, 2017). "Pharrell Williams's Life to Become a Movie Musical, 'Atlantis'". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 21, 2024). "Kelvin Harrison Jr. To Lead Universal Musical From Michel Gondry, Pharrell Williams; Da'Vine Joy Randolph Circling – The Dish". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 4, 2024). "Halle Bailey Joins Kelvin Harrison Jr. In Universal's Musical From Michel Gondry & Pharrell Williams". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 24, 2024). "Brian Tyree Henry Joins Uni's Pharrell Williams-Michel Gondry Musical". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 30, 2024). "Missy Elliott Latest To Join Coming-Of-Age Musical From Michel Gondry, Pharrell Williams". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 2, 2024). "Janelle Monáe Boards Uni Musical From Michel Gondry, Pharrell Williams". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  9. ^ Grobar, Matt (May 10, 2024). "Tim Meadows, Jaboukie Young-White, Jamilah Rosemond & Jayson Lee Round Out Cast Of Michel Gondry-Pharrell Williams Musical". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  10. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 5, 2024). "Quinta Brunson & Anderson .Paak Join Pharrell Williams-Michel Gondry Musical From Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  11. ^ Hood, John (June 25, 2024). "Filming starts in Virginia Beach for Pharrell's upcoming movie". WTKR.
  12. ^ Warren-Hicks, Colin (June 25, 2024). "Virginia Beach Fishing Pier turned into a set for Pharrell's new movie". The Virginian-Pilot – via MSN.
  13. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 29, 2024). "Pharrell Williams & Michel Gondry 1977-Set Musical Feature Titled Atlantis, Lands Early-Summer 2025 Release". Deadline. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  14. ^ King, Jordan (November 21, 2024). "Pharrell And Michel Gondry's Golden Is 'A Celebration Of Black Joy'". Empire Magazine.
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