Production has wrapped on Antonie Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic. This one been shooting since January, that’s more than five months of principal photography.
“Michael” stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut, alongside Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, Jessica Sula, Liv Symone, Kevin Shinick, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Kendrick Sampson and Derek Luke.
The film will follow the life and career of Michael Jackson. Since he joined the Jackson 5 until his death, weeks before his last tour. Puck’s Matt Belloni had read the script of Fuqua’s upcoming biopic and reported that it would not be an even-handed portrayal of the later singer.
Apparently, again, according to Belloni, the film will be “adulatory” towards Jackson and portray him as the victim of a conspiracy involving “greedy parents.” It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that the film was approved by the Jackson family estate, but, apparently, the script “wants to very much convince you that Michael is innocent” and “goes to great lengths to minimize and downplay” the controversies.
Do I believe Jackson was guilty? I have no say in the matter, and I’ve never really sided with either camp. It’s a complicated matter, and, as Belloni states, Jackson was never actually found guilty of any of the crimes he was accused of. Regardless, Jackson gave us some great music and I’m sure this film will be filled with his classic tunes.
By embarking on this project, Fuqua knew he’d be courting controversy, especially when depicting the latter half of Jackson’s life. There was no way around it. The film cost $155 million to produce and Universal/Lionsgate are reportedly banking on it grossing $1 billion at the box-office.
A good sign, and the main reason why I’m semi-hopeful about this film, is that it was written by playwright and screenwriter John Logan — a highly talented scribe whose previous credits include “Sweeney Todd,” “Gladiator,” “Skyfall,” “Hugo,” and “The Aviator.”
“Michael” is set to hit theaters, worldwide, on April 18, 2025.