Source: Joe Traver / Getty
The King of Pop is ready to go to the big screen.
Lionsgate has officially picked up the worldwide rights to the film.
The Michael Jackson biopic titled, Michael, is set to move on right away with a full scale production.
Michael has been in the works since 2019. Graham King and his production company GK Films began the spearheading of the project back then. After coming off the production of 2018’s Queen musical biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, Graham King got in talks with the Michael Jackson estate. The co-executors of the estate, John Branca and John McClain, have given them access to Michael Jackson’s music. Writer John Logan has also been attached to the project from the very start. His work on Sam Mendes’ Skyfall, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo has garnered him to have a chance to be the screenwriter of Michael.
Joe Drake, the chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, released a statement regarding his excitement for the film. “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.”
Graham King describes the film as an “in-depth portrayal of the 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.”
The film is looking to span various parts of Michael’s career. Starting with life at home in Gary, Indiana before the Jackson 5 rose to fame. Most of the film will focus on what happened in his 20s and 30s. In album speak, that’s from Off the Wall to Dangerous. The film is going to include Michael Jackson’s legal struggles with both civil and criminal lawsuits stemming from allegations of child sex abuse. There’s no word from any of the parties involved as to when the biopic will be released.
