According to Variety, Michael, the previously-announced Michael Jackson biopic will begin production this year with filmmaker Antoine Fuqua.
In a statement about his involvement, Fuqua spoke about the project along with his deep love for “combining film and music” and touched on the significant influence Jackson had on him:
“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.”
Michael — which received approval from the Jackson estate — was announced about a year ago. When the project was initially announced, the film promised to offer “an in-depth portrayal of the complicated man who became the King of Pop.” Given the involvement of Jackson’s estate, however, it remains unclear how, or if, the movie will delve into the child sexual abuse allegations against the late singer. Jackson’s estate and family have vociferously denied the allegations, especially when they were widely covered in the 2019 documentary, Leaving Neverland. A Broadway musical biopic, MJ — which also had the estate’s approval — did not mention the allegations.
Fuqua’s most recent movie was Emancipation, the Will Smith-starring historical drama inspired by the story behind the infamous “scourged back” photo that documented the heavily scarred back of a former slave named Gordon. Fuqua’s next project will be The Equalizer 3, which will find Denzel Washington reuniting with Dakota Fanning for the first time since 2004’s Man on Fire.
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Author: Saul Goode