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"Michael", a biopic about Michael Jackson, is officially happening.

Zack44

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https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/michael-jackson-biopic-lionsgate-announced-1296360/

It's officially sanctioned by the estate & the Jackson family, and it's going to be co-produced by Graham King (AKA the producer of Bohemian Rhapsody who secured the rights to make an MJ biopic several months ago) and it's gonna be distributed by Lionsgate.

Also, Graham King is a fan who mentions that he's done his own research about the allegations and believes that he was innocent. So we've got that going for us, which is nice.

Personally, I don't think that a single 2-hour movie is enough to do justice to Michael's career, and I'd rather see the Estate focus on a project that helps vindicate MJ's innocence (e.g. Taj's upcoming Kickstarter documentary series). However, if this movie is done well and is able to improve the general public's perception of Michael in a more positive way, than it's a win-win situation.

What are your thoughts, everyone?
 
Great! Also good to see John Branca and John McClain as co-producers! Hopefully they don’t have a poor casting choice because there have been in the past..
 
Michael's life was so epic and complicated that it would need several films to tell it all. You can make a 120min courtroom drama out of the 2005 case alone... I wonder why nobody greenly a project like this yet as everything there is to know about the case is out there and it is all based on facts and not rumor or gossip. This could be a massive turnaround for Michael and the Estate.

But they will go down the route of a biopic probably, in that case I have these things to add:

I think there should be careful thought into what songs are going to be included. An absolute necessity for me is "childhood".
Maybe the film would even work better as a full fledged musical, let Michael's music tell the story.

I think attention for this will be quite substantial. Absolutely nothing should be left out especially not the controversy. This is a huge opportunity for the Estate to make things right(er) again. The reach of film is so much bigger than stage musicals so this should be handled carefully and with deep respect.

If they're serious about this, at least 2 films are needed. It shouldn't be hard to greenlight this with the right marketing people will flock to the cinemas just like they did with Bohemian Rhapsody and the upcoming "Elvis" biopic.

Either way consider me hyped!
 
So far I am optimistic - Sounds like Graham King is pro-MJ, so hopefully we will get a fair portrait. Not all has to be naive and positive - MJ made many mistakes, but a chance to see at least an objective biopic will be great.

Also when John Branca and John McClain are co-producers I think we can be sure it will be a great movie.

My concern is that you simply can not portrait MJ's life in a 150 minutes movie. - Then the need to focus on just an era or something, otherwise they will need to make at least 2 long movies. - which I hope they'll do.

But so far it sound promising. - and licensed by The estate means they can use the real music which is great. - The Jackson biopic does not incluse the original music as I remember it. - yet it's a great film/series.
 
I would love it if the movie was structured similarly to ‘Rocketman’ or ‘Amadeus’.

So that Michael is telling the story of his life to somebody and as he is telling everything we get to see different moments from his life, we get to see what was going on through his mind while telling the story.
 
At last people will see how amazing, kind considerate and above all so highly talented others pale in comparison.
Our idol will at last be properly portrayed and it I am sure with the estate and probably where it says his family they are talking about the kids mostly.
Can you just imagine hearing the songs in full Atmos sound omg I carnt wait.
 
EXCLUSIVE There will be an official Michael Jackson biopic. It’s coming from Lions Gate, produced by Graham King with a John Logan screenplay. It will be called “Michael.”

The Michael Jackson estate will coproduce the film which doesn’t have a director yet.

The good news for Jackson fans is that King, who produced “Bohemian Rhapsody,” about Queen, is a Michael Jackson fan. He has done five years of research about Jackson and does not believe he the accusations of pedophilia. So the movie will not be a white wash but it will be clear eyed in its approach.

I had a long talk with King about this last week after the premiere on Broadway of “MJ The Michael Jackson Musical.” He sat with the John Branca, who runs the Estate. They are on the same page. The movie is not based on the musical and will go beyond 1992 to the end of Michael’s life in 2009. (It could really be a miniseries.)

Logan is a three-time Oscar® nominee. King and Logan previously collaborated on Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator.” Logan also wrote Ridley Scott’s Best Picture winner “Gladiator.”

King is a busy guy these days. He’s also producing the official Bee Gees biopic (my guess probably called “Staying Alive”) and toying with bringing “Bohemian Rhapsody” to Broadway based on the hit movie.
 
deadline.com

Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ From Producer Graham King & Scribe John Logan Lands At Lionsgate

Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' From Producer Graham King & Scribe John Logan Lands At Lionsgate
deadline.com deadline.com

The Graham King-produced Michael Jackson biopic project, which is being made with the blessing of the pop legend’s estate, is seeing its worldwide distribution rights snapped up by Lionsgate.
hopp-oder-top-146~_v-gseapremiumxl.jpg

Deadline first told you about the project, penned by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan, back in November 2019. Michael still is moving forward with Logan’s script.

Oscar-winning The Departed producer King will produce with John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate. King and Logan previously collaborated on Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator. Logan also wrote Ridley Scott’s Best Picture Oscar winner Gladiator.

Michael is set to be an in-depth portrayal of a complicated man who became the King of Pop. It will bring to life Jackson’s most iconic performances as it gives an informed insight into the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake said: “I am very excited that Lionsgate will be part of this epic film, and thrilled to be working with Graham, who has proven success in telling iconic life stories, from Bohemian Rhapsody to Ali; when combined with John, we couldn’t be in more extraordinary hands.”

Added King: “I first met the Jackson family in 1981 and I’m humbled to bring their legacy to the big screen. Sitting at Dodger Stadium watching the Victory Tour, I could never have imagined that nearly 38 years later I would get the privilege to be a part of this film.”

Said Katherine Jackson. “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.”

Jackson is one of the biggest-selling artist of all time, with an estimated sales of 400 million records around the globe. He counts 13 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles, more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era, and was the first artist to have a top-10 single on that chart in five different decades. His honors include 15 Grammy wins, 6 Brit Awards, a Golden Globe and 39 Guinness World Records including Most Successful Entertainer of All Time. His inductions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (twice), the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Dance Hall of Fame (the only recording artist to be inducted) and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
 
I hope that they are very explicit about the 1993 settlement and cover the original demands of Chandler to stress how the whole affair was financially motivated.

I also want them to present how Michael was petitioning for the criminal case to be brought forward, and why the judge rejecting this motion forced his hand to settle as having a civil case ahead of a criminal case would have been unconstitutional. I think it’s important for the audience to realise that Michael was prepared to tackle these allegations head on however the court systems was against him. If people learn this then I think it illustrates a completely different narrative to what’s been force fed to them by the media. All they know is that Michael settled but the finite details are still unearthed for the general public.

If they manage to weave this in, it sets the scene that Michael was evidently exploited and this created a launch pad for subsequent allegations. You almost don’t need to cover Arvizo and co as you begin to realise the recurring theme.

Even if it manages to cast some doubt in peoples mind about the legitimacy of the allegations it has the ability to restore his reputation as people will have his perspective in reserve.
 
I said it once and will say it forever, an Oscar winning movie is the whole trial from the point of view of Messerau, being MJ a secondary character, so the weight of the story while still revealing details from MJ for major audiences, it creates a simpathetic view of MJ because the story is seen through the person that not only believed that MJ was innocent, but was his job to demonstrate it and win.
 
If Lionsgate and friends put pedal to the medal, they can theoretically have Michael ready to open theatrically on the week of August 28, 2023, which would have been Michael Jackson’s 65th birthday. Or they could slow-roll it and open on June 23, 2024, which would be two days shy of the 15th anniversary of his death.

www.forbes.com

Lionsgate Nabs ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Producer’s Michael Jackson Movie

I'm old enough to remember when 'Michael Jackson: This Is It' grossed $261 million worldwide.
www.forbes.com www.forbes.com
 
Rockin R said:
I said it once and will say it forever, an Oscar winning movie is the whole trial from the point of view of Messerau, being MJ a secondary character, so the weight of the story while still revealing details from MJ for major audiences, it creates a simpathetic view of MJ because the story is seen through the person that not only believed that MJ was innocent, but was his job to demonstrate it and win.
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Excellent idea, I was thinking about a trial movie myself yesterday where it was all about the trial with Michael only be8ng a background figure.
 
I don’t want a biopic whatsoever, but seeing that the wheels are already in motion, I have one singular request:

DO. NOT. ADDRESS. THE. ALLEGATIONS.

It blows me away that anybody would want something like that to happen. It wouldn’t change anybody’s mind, nor would it paint MJ in any sort of sympathetic light; it would open the door for accusations of “dramatization” and “bias” (which have already begun due to the Estate’s involvement). It’s an awful idea, and I thank god that some fans aren’t in the writer’s room. (That seems a bit harsh, but after the hell that was 2019, there’s absolutely no reason to put ourselves in the line of fire again.)

Want to stand a chance at changing the public perceptiom? Do a docu-series. Speak to the men and women who were actually there. Show court documents. Prove his innocence with facts, not a semi-fictitious story.

Leaving Neverland made an impact because it allowed Robson and Safechuck to tell their stories. If they made a biopic portraying MJ as a child molester, nobody would’ve given a damn. The same thing applies here.
 
@AlwaysThere I don’t agree, documentaries have not the same reach as feature films. The truth is out there, it is perfectly possible to make a courtroom drama of the 2005 case, all the evidence is out there, no serious movie critic could turn that into negativity without being called out for it.
Portraying the allegations is an absolute necessity, it is time to stop hiding, everybody has their opinion on MJ about it, not addressing those parts in his life would be foolish and would for sure lead to more negativity. I’m a fan I don’t want to ignore the allegations because I know the truth, there is nothing to be ashamed off so there is nothing to hide!
I would love to see Dan Reed react to such a film without coming across as a tit…
 
filmandmusic said:
@AlwaysThere I don’t agree, documentaries have not the same reach as feature films. The truth is out there, it is perfectly possible to make a courtroom drama of the 2005 case, all the evidence is out there, no serious movie critic could turn that into negativity without being called out for it.
Portraying the allegations is an absolute necessity, it is time to stop hiding, everybody has their opinion on MJ about it, not addressing those parts in his life would be foolish and would for sure lead to more negativity. I’m a fan I don’t want to ignore the allegations because I know the truth, there is nothing to be ashamed off so there is nothing to hide!
I would love to see Dan Reed react to such a film without coming across as a tit…
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Leaving Neverland has been debunked time and time again, and yet journalists still cite it as irrefutable proof that MJ was guilty. Same with the 1994 settlement, the Chandler description, the "child porn" allegedly found in 2003, so on and so forth. Critics and journalists have no issue hurling criticism at a pro-MJ piece, whether or not it's factual or justified (see: the Broadway show, the announcement of this film).

What purpose would it serve to dramatize the allegations? Fans won't be told anything they don't already know, and nobody else will be swayed in either direction since, at its core, it's a fictitious story that was made under the supervision of Michael's estate, and as such can't/won't be seen as a genuine and balanced interpretation. A docu-series, while not as digestible, can cover everything in a comprehensive light using irrefutable evidence and firsthand testimony. You won't get that from a script.

This is a prime example of how MJ fans often live in a bubble. Anyone who acts as though Leaving Neverland didn't do significant damage to his reputation is lying to themselves. He's still a cherished and beloved figure, but compare the relatively light public criticism he received from 2009 to 2018 with what's been happening since 2019. There's no comparison. Making a biopic about sham allegations, as opposed to drawing further attention to his humanitarian work and artistic genius (which is, you know, the point of musical biopics), would be stupid, plain and simple.
 
In the movie, for comic relief, they should use word for word the testimony of the accuser's mother who testified at MJ's Santa Barbara so called molestation trial. I remember her testimony and it was so...ridiculous even MJ haters were laughing. :ROFLMAO:

Legal Journalist Linda Deutsch Discusses Michael Jackson Trial​

 
I'm not excited about this to be honest, I'd rather they trust someone to take unseen videos and audio of Michael and interview people around him at the time. Something similar to the Senna documentary

Allowing Michael to tell his own story
 
Well I’m glad to hear that Graham King done his homework and go for the winning team and glad the Estate is keeping an eagle eye on the project too. Hopefully someone will play Michael can get it right and hopefully they don’t use the amount of flour make up like in “Man In The Mirror” with Flex Alexander (he’s a good actor, but the amount of make up on him was just terrible). And I would like to see on Robotnik Reeks face when the film comes out, he’d be throwing a temper tantrum like a whiny crybaby.:LOL:
 
I think the estate will be sanctioning this at every step but I agree I want the allegations discussed and get someone like TomM saying how pathetic these where, Michael saying he wanted to goto trial but sony/Pepsi told him they would settle to make this go away and not interrupt there cash cow! Tour and licence!
Show how Michael was a musical genius and so misunderstood. After all that's what Bh Rhapsody did! Look how that turned out!
 
Then follow this up with Tajs doc and show All the positive docs one after the other.
Show how much Michael was a great humanitarian and so kind.
 
In that 'Michael' biopic, they will not document the child sexual abuse allegations against the singer, just like they did in the 'MJ: The Musical' Broadway production where they omitted that part of his life.

In that biopic, they will chronicle his musical journey through his classic songs and on-stage performances.

The only interesting thing in that biopic seems to be the portrayal of some aspects of the singer's creative process in the recording studio and while preparing for his on-stage performances.

In any case, a Michael Jackson biopic aims at the general public, rather than at his fans.

There is also a technical difficulty in any Michael Jackson biopic.

Any actor who tries to play him is going to emit a cartoonish feel due to the singer's complex personality which cannot be recreated and simplified on screen without looking slightly humorous and comical.
 
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