This week it was announced that Michael Jackson will be getting a biopic of his own. The star – who died on June 25, 2009 – will join the likes of Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner and Whitney Houston with his own Hollywood movie telling his life story on the big screen. The movie will be titled “Michael” and is due to be directed by American filmmaker Antoine Fuqua – but it will not shy away from the more controversial moments of the star’s life.
In 2002, Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of intoxicating a minor with alcoholic drinks. After an extensive trial which lasted months, the star was acquitted of all charges.
Further accusations were announced following the star’s death in 2009 in the 2019 documentary, Leaving Neverland.
Michael will be made in conjunction with Jackson’s estate, as well as co-executors John Branca and John McClain. The film will also include Graham King, who was involved with the Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.
Jackson’s estate has previously condemned the accusations pointed at the singer as nothing more than “tabloid character assassination” before insisting on his innocence.
Fuqua said of the movie: “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. 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.”
Fuqua added: “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 does not yet have a release date, but production is due to begin this year.
