On Friday, Pharrell Williams’ new animated LEGO biopic “Piece by Piece” hit theaters. And while the uniquely creative film left audiences at an recent early screening in Los Angeles feeling inspired, according the mega-producer, it almost didn’t get made in the first place.
Speaking to group of viewers, including The Root, at the aforementioned early screening thrown in tandem with LEGO and Focus Features before the film’s official debut, Pharrell explained that his own expectations and ego were keeping him from delving into the creative project and that he didn’t know how to approach the film because the thought of his voice being at the center bored him.
“I’m the kind of person that has a very high standard and a very crazy expectation of what I want to see. It’s the reason I write for people, the reason why I produce for people and I don’t often appreciate my own voice and my own story because it’s boring for me,” he explained. “I’m a very curious person but what kind of questions would I ask myself? And who wants to listen to their own voice?”
He later realized that by saying yes to the process, it could be an exercise in doing something that was both reflective of him and an opportunity to express his creativity in a new way—but only if he could get his ego in check first:
I wasn’t interested in my story but only until I realized the most fun part and the most integral part of it all was getting over my ego. Man, my ego was terrible. I thought everything revolved around my creativity. ‘I’m so and creative.’ And really, honestly, it took the universe humbling me and for me to realize that I’m blessed and grateful to be here. All the people who have helped me get to where I am, all the people that believed and saw something in me. But I, at the time, thought it was about me. And the universe will humble you and next thing you know, if you’re able to get another chance out of it—you say thank you more.
Additionally, in his parting words, Pharrell echoed a sentiment that he hoped audiences will grab onto after viewing his film which is that it’s never too late to dream and that we all should have the audacity to believe in those dreams no matter what.
“I was arrogant, but I was also very delusional. When I thought I could be something, I really believed it. And that part you should hold onto. It’s never too late for you to have a dream. Whether you’re eight or 80-years-old, now is really a better word than never…build that dream piece by piece,” he said.
“Piece by Piece,” directed by Morgan Neville is available in theaters now.
