Musician and fashion designer, Pharrell Williams, left, and his wife Helen Lasichanh arrive at the Grand Palais during the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Pharrell Williams’ much-anticipated film, Golden, was recently scrapped during post-production. The project, directed by Michel Gondry, would have recounted Williams’ upbringing in Virginia Beach.
If you live in Richmond or Virginia Beach, you may have seen production crews and your local street transported to the 1970s this past summer (I even know some locals who were hired as extras).
For a long time, this public production was a mystery to residents and business owners. The production crew was very secretive about their film, but soon, Virginians discovered that local legend Pharrell Williams was filming his musical biopic.
The excitement for this film, originally titled “Atlantis” after the apartment complex Williams grew up in, was palpable. It’s not every day that Virginia is displayed (in all its glory!) on the big screen.
Sadly, we’ll never get to see the finished project because the film will never see a full release.
Soon after filming, Williams and the production team went to the editing room to create the final film, but all parties agreed that the movie they had didn’t fulfill their vision.
The film’s cast included Halle Bailey, Missy Elliott, Quinta Brunson, and many more, and had an anticipated release date of May 5, 2025.
Golden was meant to celebrate Williams’ hometown, and the “Black joy” that surrounded his childhood and eventual success. But locals must wait for another production to see their hometown in lights.
Another biopic about Williams was released last year. The Piece by Piece film is an animated Lego-style movie that recounts the singer’s rise to stardom.
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Virginians and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Dogwood has always been to empower people across the commonwealth with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Virginia families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
Why health insurance is so expensive this year — and what you can do about it.
Michelle Andrews November 4, 2025 This year’s Obamacare open enrollment period, which started Nov. 1 in most states, is full of uncertainty and...
So your insurance dropped your doctor. Now what?
Bram Sable-Smith and Oona Zenda Illustrations by Oona Zenda October 29, 2025 Last winter, Amber Wingler started getting a series of increasingly...
Time’s running out for VA heating system tax credits
Learn how to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits in Virginia by installing an energy-efficient heating system. As...
More Virginians leaving leaves, a boon for sustainability, survey finds
By Zamone Perez More Virginians are leaving leaves on the ground during the autumn season, providing a boon to local ecosystems and cutting...
The Social Security Administration is no longer issuing paper checks. Here’s what you need to know
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has switched to electronic forms of payment. Here’s how you can set up your automatic payments with ease....
Rate of uninsured children up in VA as pandemic-era protections end
By Zamone PerezThe rate of children without health insurance grew in Virginia and across the country, hitting its highest levels in more than a...
