Michael Jackson biopic producer promises movie will 'get into all of it'
"Beyond the music, beyond the legend, beyond the controversy, discover the man," teased first-look footage at CinemaCon
The forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic is starting with the man in the mirror.
On Wednesday, Lionsgate debuted a surprise first look at Michael, an upcoming film about the King of Pop directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) and produced by Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody). King took the stage at CinemaCon to show the audience the first footage of the film, despite the project still being in production.
"In a biopic, there is added expectation to represent an adaptive, authentic portrayal that's faithful to the subject," said King. "There's biopics and then there's Michael Jackson. An enigma, full of eccentricity, electrifying talent, arguably the most famous entertainer to ever cross the planet. And yet behind the unrelenting scrutiny and the accusations and the grinding media spotlight, he was simply a man. A man who lived a very complicated life. The movie will get into all of it, including over 30 songs, recreating some of the most iconic performances on stage as well as his life out of the public eye."
The promise to "get into all of it" is striking, given that Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed recently blasted the biopic, calling it "a complete whitewash."
Phil Dent/Redferns
Michael Jackson“It’s an out-and-out attempt to completely rewrite the allegations and dismiss them out of hand, and contains complete lies,” Reed told The Times of London. “You never even see him alone with any boys when it is a matter of fact that he shared his bed with small children for many years.” (Reed told Entertainment Weekly he made the remarks after reading a draft of the Michael script.)
Reed's 2019 documentary focuses on the allegations made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who both claim that Jackson sexually abused them when they were children in the late ‘80s and early-to-mid ‘90s.
Fuqua is directing from a script by John Logan (Skyfall), The film stars Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson (Jermaine Jackson's son) in his big screen debut. The cast also includes Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Nia Long, and more.
"When you consider Michael Jackson's extraordinary life, his career triumphs, personal challenges, his artistry, musical legacy, his story is certainly one that's worthy of a cinematic event presentation," said King. "For the first time, not only the hundreds of fans around the world, but generations of movie goers will come together to experience an inside look into the most prolific artists to ever live."
"The filmmaking stories that I've always gravitated to have characters that are multi-dimensional, and where there are elements of drama, intrigue, conflict, emotional stakes," he continued. "Then I try and find the untold version of the story — and try and set it from a perspective that hopefully gives the audience something new to take away creatively. As you can only imagine, Michael Jackson ticks all those boxes."
CinemaCon attendees were treated to the first footage of Jaafar as Michael, which showcased the actor executing many of Jackson's signature dance moves and replicating his uncle's voice, which reporters called "spot on."
It also featured Jackson as Michael saying, "When I'm performing I feel alive, but when I’m not onstage, everything feels foreign to me." Additionally, the footage showcased the younger version of Michael as a member of the Jackson 5.
“Michael, there might be some people who think you’re different," Long as Jackson's mother said in the trailer. "And that’s gonna make life a little harder for you...but you never were like anyone else."
The footage included a title card that touts, "Beyond the music, beyond the legend, beyond the controversy, discover the man."
The movie is currently in production, with Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International slated to release it on April 18, 2025.
Additional reporting by Lauren Huff and Nicholas Romano
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Leaving Neverland director slams Michael Jackson biopic, calls it ‘complete whitewash’
Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson to play the King of Pop in Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic
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