Topline
Lionsgate has begun working on a biopic about superstar Michael Jackson, and has the blessing of his estate, the studio announced Wednesday—which could be a major earner for the now-deceased King of Pop’s family, despite the controversy surrounding Jackson and the sexual abuse claims against him.
Michael Jackson performs on stage during is “HIStory” world tour concert at Ericsson Stadium … [+]
Key Facts
Called Michael, the film is set to be directed by Antoine Fuqua—who most recently helmed the Will Smith film Emancipation—and the script was written by John Logan.
It will be produced by Graham King, an Oscar winner behind the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), which grossed over $900 million worldwide.
John Branca and John McClain, executors of Jackson’s estate, will co-executive produce the film—his estate was also a major producer of MJ The Musical, the hugely successful Broadway jukebox musical about Jackson’s life, which takes place in 1992, before any allegations were made against Jackson (his estate denies the claims).
Big Number
$75 million. That’s how much Jackson’s estate made in 2022, making him the sixth highest-paid dead celebrity of the year, according to Forbes. Much of that was made from the Broadway musical, which has since launched a national tour and a London production. A Jackson estate source told Forbes in October the Broadway show was set to gross $80 million in its first year. It’s not clear how much the estate could make from the film: Elvis Presley’s estate earned just $5 million for the rights for Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis.
Key Background
Jackson got his start in the music industry in his family’s band, the Jackson 5, and eventually became known as the “King of Pop” for his now-classic hits like “Billie Jean” and “Man In The Mirror.” He won 13 Grammy Awards in his life. Jackson was a prolific dancer and performer, but his personal life was ensnared in scandal, particularly in his later years. Police first investigated Jackson over claims that he sexually abused children in 1993. A decade later he was charged with child molestation, among other crimes, stemming from claims from a then 14-year-old boy who said Jackson masturbated him. In 2005, he was found not guilty of all charges. Jackson died in 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of propofol, a drug that can cause sleepiness. His estate was sued by in 2013 by Wade Robson, and in 2014 by James Safechuck, whose claims of sexual abuse were central to the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. Jackson denied the claims when he was alive, and his estate maintains his innocence.
Tangent
When MJ premiered on Broadway in 2022, a Variety reporter was removed from the red carpet for asking the cast about the allegations of abuse against Jackson. The musical includes just one reference to Jackson’s close relationship with children, when one character asks another, “who the hell is this family he wants to bring on tour?,” according to the New York Times. Still, the show won four Tony awards, and its shows during the 2022-2023 Broadway season have had over 94% capacity each week.
Further Reading
What We Know About Michael Jackson’s History of Sexual Abuse Accusations (New York Times)
The Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities Of 2022—A Writer Earns Half-A-Billion From The Great Beyond (Forbes)
Antoine Fuqua to Direct Michael Jackson Biopic for Lionsgate (The Wrap)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/01/18/michael-jackson-biopic-in-the-works-despite-controversy-surrounding-the-star/