Lionsgate has tapped Antoine Fuqua, the man behind such juggaurants as The Equalizer, Shooter, and Training Day, to direct the forthcoming Michail Jackson biopic adequately titled Michael.
To be penned by Gladiator’s John Logan and produced by Bohemian Rhapsody’s Graham King, the film will showcase the complicated man who rose to become the undeniable King of Pop. The studio hopes the film will join a slew of commercially successful musically included biopics — think Ray, Walk the Line, Straight Outta Compton, and even the recently released Elvis, the latter of which proved that even in the pandemic era, the right casting and creative direction can result in commercial success.
Logan will have a unique decision to make while crafting the screenplay. How in-depth it does regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors that followed the 15-time Grammy winner for the final sixteen years of his life is currently unknown. But given the success of Hulu’s Emmy-winning Leaving Neverland documentary, you’d have to assume the situation will be addressed.
Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, is excited for Michael’s story to be elevated to the big screen. She commented, “Ever since Michael was little, as a member of The Jackson 5, he loved the magic of cinema. As a family, we are honored to have our life story come alive on the big screen.” How much input the family will have on the final project will be interesting to watch.
Jackson, who has amassed sales of an estimated 400 million units worldwide, is also the owner of The Beatles catalog. With thirteen Billboard How 100 No. 1 singles, he has more than any other solo male artist in the Hot 100 era. He is also the first artist to obtain a top-10 single on the Hot 100 Chart in five different decades.
Fuqua’s reputation as a high-octane action film director makes his selection interesting. However, he has one group to win over if he wants Michael to be more like Bohemian and less like Whitney…the fans. Is Mules Frost available? It would be foolish not to give the Tony-winning star a call.
