Michael Jackson estate thrills to biopic
By Jeff Sneider
With Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial now over, John Branca, the executor of the Jackson estate, has approached Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock's Montecito Picture Company about the possibility of producing and financing a Jackson biopic. Project would only cover certain periods of the late singer's life.
Pollack confirmed that the two sides are engaged in early talks but cautioned that there is no deal in place.
A spokesman for Jackson's estate had no comment.
The estate is currently focused on Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour," so there is no rush to get the movie into production. However, the fact that the estate is keen to pay tribute to Michael on the bigscreen should have Hollywood agents salivating, as the plum part would likely do wonders for an actor's career: Past music-themed biopics "Ray" and "Walk the Line" have won Oscars for respective stars Jamie Foxx and Reese Witherspoon.
Should Montecito close a deal to make the movie, a Jackson biopic would offer different material than the company is known for. The shingle launched in 2000 with Todd Phillips' debut feature "Road Trip."
Company went on to produce several successful comedies including Phillips' "Old School" and John Hamburg's "I Love You, Man," though in recent years, Montecito has focused on higher-brow fare such as Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air" and Atom Egoyan's "Chloe."
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118046177
By Jeff Sneider
With Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial now over, John Branca, the executor of the Jackson estate, has approached Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock's Montecito Picture Company about the possibility of producing and financing a Jackson biopic. Project would only cover certain periods of the late singer's life.
Pollack confirmed that the two sides are engaged in early talks but cautioned that there is no deal in place.
A spokesman for Jackson's estate had no comment.
The estate is currently focused on Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour," so there is no rush to get the movie into production. However, the fact that the estate is keen to pay tribute to Michael on the bigscreen should have Hollywood agents salivating, as the plum part would likely do wonders for an actor's career: Past music-themed biopics "Ray" and "Walk the Line" have won Oscars for respective stars Jamie Foxx and Reese Witherspoon.
Should Montecito close a deal to make the movie, a Jackson biopic would offer different material than the company is known for. The shingle launched in 2000 with Todd Phillips' debut feature "Road Trip."
Company went on to produce several successful comedies including Phillips' "Old School" and John Hamburg's "I Love You, Man," though in recent years, Montecito has focused on higher-brow fare such as Jason Reitman's "Up in the Air" and Atom Egoyan's "Chloe."
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118046177