Michael Jackson
Will the biopic become a worldwide cinema success?
Filming on the planned biopic about Michael Jackson is scheduled to start as soon as the Hollywood strike ends.
© RICHARD BOCKLET/ImageCollect
Together with Universal, Lionsgate wants to present the biopic “Michael” worldwide. This is already known about the new “King of Pop” film.
The life of the “King of Pop” is being made into a film. It has been clear since February 2022 that there will be a biopic about Michael Jackson (1958-2009). The start of filming for “Michael” is now within reach. In the latest development, the film studio Lionsgate announced on Tuesday that it was collaborating with Universal as an international distributor. as the industry portal “Deadline” reports. This is what is known so far about the film, which will shed light on the life and career of the famous and controversial musician.
Who plays Michael Jackson?
Michael Jackson is portrayed in the biopic by a member of his own family. In January 2023, his nephew Jaafar Jackson (27) was presented as the main actor in the biographical film. The son of Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine Jackson (68) posted on Instagram at the beginning of the year a black and white photo that shows him in a typical dance pose of the “King of Pop”.. He wrote: “I am humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans around the world, see you soon.”
“Michael”: script, direction, start of shooting
The script for the biopic was written by screenwriter John Logan (62), who has already been nominated for three Oscars. The planned film aims to show an “in-depth portrait of the complicated man who became the King of Pop. It will bring to life Jackson’s most iconic performances and provide an in-depth look into the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life,” Lionsgate announced.
Antoine Fuqua (58) will be in the director’s chair. The filmmaker himself confirmed this to the “Hollywood Reporter” in January 2023. “For me, there is no artist with the same power, charisma and sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson,” said Fuqua. “His work inspired me to make music videos – he was the first black artist to appear on MTV. His music and these images are part of my worldview and the chance to see his story in conjunction with his music on the screen telling was irresistible.”
In the 1990s, Fuqua produced music videos for Prince (1958-2016), Queen Latifah (53), Stevie Wonder (73) and Usher (44), among others. As a film director, he directed, among other things, “Training Day” and the “Equalizer” series, most recently the historical film “Emancipation”, and as a producer he was involved in the action comedy “Bullet Train”.
During the production, the team receives support from “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King (61) as well as John Branca (72) and John McClain, who co-manage Michael Jackson’s estate. According to Deadline, production will begin as soon as the writers and actors strikes in Hollywood end.
New insights into the complex life of the “King of Pop”
Lionsgate has now set the course for worldwide cinema success through its cooperation with Universal. “Michael’s decades-long career has left an indelible mark on the way audiences around the world experience entertainment. We are thrilled to work with our friends at Universal to bring global audiences new insights into the complex life of one of the most prolific artists the world has ever known,” Deadline quotes Joe Drake, chairman of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.