Lionsgate Announces Biopic on Michael Jackson: A Look at the Film’s Production, Content, and Controversies
I. Introduction
The studio Lionsgate, which is responsible for blockbusters like The Hunger Games and The Twilight Saga, has revealed that it will make a biography on the late Michael Jackson. The movie, simply titled Michael, has the potential to bring in a sizable sum of money for the Jackson family and the studio, but it also needs to handle the delicate subject of Jackson’s alleged sexual assault.
II. Background on Michael Jackson
One of the most recognisable and popular musicians of all time is Michael Jackson. As a youngster, Michael began performing in his family’s band, the Jackson 5, and later rose to fame as the “King of Pop” thanks to his now-classic classics like “Billie Jean” and “Man In The Mirror.” He was a famous dancer and performer who earned 13 Grammy Awards in his lifetime. Jackson also paved the way for Black musicians in the business by becoming the first Black artist to play on constant rotation on MTV.
III. The Film’s Production Team
The movie will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, famed for his work on movies like Training Day and The Equalizer series, while John Logan, a three-time Oscar contender for his work on movies like Gladiator and The Aviator, will pen the script. Graham King, who earned an Oscar for his efforts on the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which made over $900 million worldwide, will produce the movie. Branca and John The film’s co-executive producers will also be McClain, Jackson’s estate executors.
IV. The Film’s Content
Jackson’s life and career, including his early success with the Jackson 5, his most illustrious performances, and his tragic passing in 2009 at the age of 50 from a sedative-induced cardiac arrest, will be chronicled in the movie. The paedophile allegations that dogged his later years—the topic of the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland—will also be covered in the movie. The documentary brought up the accusations of sexual assault against the performer and featured evidence from two of Jackson’s purported victims. The singer’s estate has criticised the film and referred to the accusations as “completely untrue,” insisting on his innocence.
V. The Impact of the Sexual Abuse Allegations
Despite these issues, Michael Jackson continues to be a very popular and successful person. The success of MJ The Musical and the ongoing appeal of Jackson’s songs have helped to revive interest in his music and legacy in recent years. According to Forbes, Jackson’s estate made $75 million in 2022, ranking him as the sixth-highest-paid deceased celebrity of the year. Although it’s unclear how much money the estate would make from the movie, the Jackson family could make a lot of money from it. The film will also have to deal with the delicate subject of the Jackson sexual abuse allegations and how spectators would react to it.
VI. Conclusion
The much-awaited Michael Jackson biopic might bring in a sizable sum of money for the Jackson family and the production company behind it. The film will also have to deal with the delicate subject of the Jackson sexual abuse allegations and how spectators would react to it. Graham King will produce the movie, which will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, and written by John Logan, and start shooting this year. The Jackson household is excited to be a part of this project, with TJ Jackson, Michael’s nephew, stating that the film is “going to happen” and will be necessary to reframe the “awful” allegations against the “Thriller” singer.
However, it’s important to note that despite the ongoing popularity of Jackson’s music, the sexual abuse allegations against him cannot be ignored. The HBO documentary Leaving Neverland brought these accusations back to the public eye and they will need to be addressed in the biopic.
It will be interesting to see how the film chooses to handle this sensitive subject matter. Will it be a whitewashed version of Jackson’s life, ignoring the accusations altogether? Or will it take a more nuanced approach, acknowledging the allegations and giving a fair portrayal of the events? Only time will tell.
One thing is for certain, Michael Jackson’s life and career were complex and multi-faceted, and any film about him will have to navigate the many controversies surrounding him. With a talented team behind it, this biopic has the potential to be a powerful and thought-provoking film that will give audiences a new perspective on the life and legacy of one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
