A biopic on Michael Jackson is in the works. The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Lionsgate and director Antoine Fuqua are tackling the musician’s life in a movie named Michael.
Along with John Branca and John McClain, who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, Graham King, a seasoned veteran at biopics with the Oscar-winning Queen picture Bohemian Rhapsody under his belt, is producing the movie. The script was written by John Logan, who also authored Gladiator and The Aviator.
“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am,” said Fuqua in a statement. “For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work — the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.”
Though it is unclear how the movie will address the numerous controversies involving the late music icon, it is stated by Lionsgate that the movie will cover every aspect of Jackson’s life.
This is surprising given that the movie is being produced in collaboration with Jackson’s estate, which has defended him against claims that he sexually abused children.
The 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland brought the charges back into the public eye.
