Pharrell Williams often gets called “crazy,” but he sees this label in a light-hearted way.

“When you aim to achieve something unprecedented, it can sound a bit wild,” the 51-year-old artist shared during a Zoom interview with YSL News. “Often, things don’t pan out, but sometimes they do, and that’s when you really know.”

Williams’ career has a rich history, showcasing his talents as a hitmaker, Grammy-winning producer, and a creative leader at Louis Vuitton. Nevertheless, his agent, Jad Dayeh, warned him that his newest venture was “(expletive) crazy”: a biographical film in the style of a Lego animation.

This project, titled “Piece by Piece,” is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville and premieres in theaters on October 11. The film combines actual interviews with Lego animation to depict Williams’ life, tracing his journey from a music-loving child in Virginia to a globally recognized figure known simply by his first name.

“There are some constraints, but I view those as chances for creativity,” says Neville, 56, while comparing the use of Legos to filming with real people. Known for directing the Oscar-winning documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” he mentioned that challenges such as conveying emotions (since Lego figures lack facial features) and showcasing dance moves (as Legos are rigid) turned into unique opportunities for innovation: “These hurdles encouraged us to experiment in ways we might not have otherwise.”

For instance, while standard Lego characters might have a few outfits, Pharrell’s character showcases over 80, featuring a distinctive Louis Vuitton damoflage suit. The film boasts a diverse cast of voice talents, including Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Pusha T, Pharrell’s parents, his wife Helen Lasichanh, and Chad Hugo, a childhood friend and collaborator. Despite no longer being on speaking terms due to a legal dispute, Hugo’s voice remains featured in the film.

Neville humorously reflected on his chat with rapper N.O.R.E., noting, “He’s almost like a cartoon character. His energy and storytelling instantly made me think, ‘He will be perfect for this film!’”

Neville also praised Busta Rhymes for his vivid storytelling capabilities.

“There’s a whole scene in the movie set amidst a storm, inspired by Busta describing the chaotic nature of dealing with managers, who might abandon you for a lifeboat,” Neville remarked. “A simple metaphor turned into a full scene in the film.”

For Pharrell, this project provided an opportunity to revisit both the triumphs and struggles of his life, including issues with self-esteem regarding his singing voice and the path that led to his iconic song “Happy.”

“I’ve never fully trusted in my abilities,” Williams confessed. “It’s tough to recognize your worth when insecurities and external pressures cloud your mind. These feelings can dominate your thoughts and make self-belief challenging.”

“This film helped me release all of that. It became an unexpectedly therapeutic journey of letting everything go.”