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MJ's original plans for You Rock My World short film?

Masonh

Masonh

Invincible
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MJ's You Rock My World is definitely one of the best songs on Invincible album, and it's surely one of my favourite. However, I want to confess, I don't really like it's music video. I think it's worst short film Michael have ever created. And there are lots of reasons for me to think in that way.

Firstly, it was directed by Paul Hunter, the man, who proposed to darken MJ skin and make a nose prosthesis for him, which is completely out of respect to MJ. If I was Michael I would never work with such person in the first place.

Secondly, despite choreography (which I find really interesting), every other aspect of music video looks not really good. Plot, decorations, dialogues. Idk, it's just not MJ level at all. Black or White music video, which was relesed 10 years earlier looks much better.

The thing I want to know, YRMW video (that was released) is what Michael planned to shoot before the Sony refused to make Unbreakable as first single (and music video as well) or when he had plans for Unbreakable video as first short fim and YRMW as second, his plans for YRMW video were different? I know, that Sony forced him to shoot YRMW first, because they needed promotion for this song. Is it the reason why MJ just used his old idea of Dangerous short film for YRMW short film? Because he didn't have any time to come up with something new? Or he planned to use this Dangerous style for YRMW short film BEFORE Sony denied to release Unbreakable as first video (and single)?

Btw, I forgot about Chris Tucker speech during intro of this song. Well if Michael added it while he was recording the song, then he already knew what he will do with short film? Or Chris Tucker's speech were added after YRMW video shooting?

Sorry for my english, I hope you'll understand what I'm trying to say
 
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I don't know enough about it to answer your queries, but I too find that video hard to watch and hard to follow. Thematically, it doesn't make sense, it's a love song set in a mob world. I remember hearing that there were many things going wrong on set with MJ, that he wasn't happy and I wonder if that's what we are seeing on screen. Also, I think his problems with Sony had already begun. The best thing about that video was listening to MJ laugh.

I also don't like that CT part at the beginning of the song when I listen to it, I always look for a version without it.

If you look up MJCast Invincible Roundtable on YouTube, I'm pretty sure they discuss the issues around the video, and even given a breakdown of the actual video. Might have some of the answers to your questions.

However, I don't think it was the worst MJ video, I feel Cry was worse. I was such an excited teen fan at that time, and it was hard not to be disappointed as a fan during that time period.
 
jasmine.uddin said:
I don't know enough about it to answer your queries, but I too find that video hard to watch and hard to follow. Thematically, it doesn't make sense, it's a love song set in a mob world.
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Precisely! When I listen to this song, I imagine something different from Smooth Criminal style and mobs
jasmine.uddin said:
If you look up MJCast Invincible Roundtable on YouTube, I'm pretty sure they discuss the issues around the video, and even given a breakdown of the actual video. Might have some of the answers to your questions.
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I'll do it, thanks!
 
Mister_Jay_Tee said:
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Hype Williams was supposed to direct it, but MJ didn't like what he wanted to do, so he went with Paul Hunter instead. Of course, Hunter was nearly fired for suggesting to change how MJ's face looked.
 
Spaceship said:
Hype Williams was supposed to direct it, but MJ didn't like what he wanted to do, so he went with Paul Hunter instead. Of course, Hunter was nearly fired for suggesting to change how MJ's face looked.
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Source?
 
Not sure where I heard Hype Williams was gonna direct the music video at first, but I think it was here: https://jacksondynasty.net/2024/12/03/jackson-familys-timeline-2001/

Dunno where they got it from, though.

Paul Hunter wanting to change MJ's face for the video was first said by Frank Cascio in his 2010 memoir My Friend Michael. MJ broke down in tears in his dressing room over it.
 
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I've heard, I think in the MJcast, that there was much more shooting planned, including some sort of huge explosion. It was suggested the final edit was made with unfinished shooting. I don't know what is true of that though.
 
There are even two cuts of the short film, one that aired on MTV and still airs to this day with alternate takes and dialogue and the one on Vision. oh and of course the shortened version so 3
 
I seem to remember in the "longer cut" there is the fire set up and the closing scene showing the aftermath of an explosion. Always felt there was something missing in between.
 
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