Some "business decisions" don't make sense. Screw the damn musical, more than half the fandom aren't in the US neither can afford to go watch it. Once again I say this, where do Asian and South American fans be in this mess? It's outrageous.
For me it's not even a geographical thing although I do understand why that's an issue. I'm pleased the musical has done so well and hope that continues when it goes on tour. I have zero interest in the musical so when it comes to the UK I won't be going. I'm stoked for everyone else that likes this stuff but ... musicals, biopics? Not interested. I understand the MJE priority is to make money and so they concentrate on commercial projects rather than smaller stuff that's more niche. They could do easily do both and it's annoying that they don't.
It really comes back to the whole not showing Michael thing to me. There's been a pattern, through their decisions and their social media presence (beyond posting random photos with tone deaf captions) of not displaying MJ and more displaying the "idea" of him and stuff he has done.
My brain just exploded. This makes SO much sense. I couldn't see this but I really think you're on to something. Of course, if your perception is correct, it's bloody depressing. The 'idea' of Michael. Yeah, it really does feel like that.
He's more of a brand now, which I kinda hate.
Got mixed feelings about this. Michael had already turned himself into a brand in the 1980's and I wasn't wild about it, tbh. I'm so old-school, lol. But I totally understand why he did it and he was really good at it. Feels different when it's MJE doing it but perhaps that's unfair.
Dunno if anyone else feels like this or if it's just a vibe I have personally lol.
No, it's not just you. I realise now that I've had some vague unease at the back of my mind which has only now come into focus. This really does make sense to me.
I can understand the pessimism towards the musical, but as someone who’s seen it, it’s outstanding and deserves the acclaim and success it’s receiving. It is, in my opinion, one of the best moves they’ve made and a very unique and creative way to continue MJ’s legacy. And while I’m iffy on a biopic, it’s been done well before and could (emphasis on could) heighten him further. [...]
Can't really argue with any of this although I don't think there's anything unique about doing a musical. Plus there was Thriller Live in London which didn't look at Michael's life, it was simply a celebration of his music, but it must have provided MJE with some sort of template to work from (or against). Thriller Live ran from 2009 and only closed in 2020 bc of COVID-19, IIRC. But I agree that MJ the Musical is one of the most successful things MJE has done. And yet something just doesn't feel right. It feels unbalanced but maybe it's just me, maybe I'm being too picky ...
John Branca's recent statement left me cold, tbh. I get that there's loads of work to do, getting the musical on the road, completing the doc and dealing with 'technical' issues, getting the biopic underway. Sure, that's a lot of work. How big is the creative team at MJE? Is it really so small that they can't also work on smaller projects alongside the bigger things?
