Yep, you read that right. After the success of Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, the next big music biopic is going to be all about Michael Jackson.
Graham King, who produced Rhapsody, has somehow actually secured the life rights from the MJ estate — and if you think that part was difficult just wait until you see how difficult it is to actually make the damn thing!
The producer has already tapped collaborator John Logan to write the script. He’s a three-time Oscar nominee who wrote hits like Skyfall and Best Picture winner Gladiator.
Photos: The Most Shocking MJ Allegations You Forgot (Or Never Heard)
Considering the pair previously tackled The Aviator together, in which Leonardo DiCaprio played innovator and philanthropist Howard Hughes — who eventually was trapped in his own home by his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder — they at least have some experience working with complex biographies.
However…
Just think of all the inherent problems in doing this movie!
Part of the success of Bohemian Rhapsody was the worldwide audience’s enthusiasm in celebrating the life and career of a timeless icon, the fantabulous Freddie Mercury. It felt like having the peerless singer and frontman back, if just for two hours.
https://giphy.com/gifs/bohemian-rhapsody-11CeJwB9478rSg
In the case of Michael, you’re talking about someone whose music — as legendary and undeniably catchy as it may be — is currently being actively swept under the rug.
After the release of the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, in which many people got to hear Wade Robson and James Safechuck‘s accusations of child molestation in their own words for the first time, people are ready to distance themselves from MJ right now. Over the past few months radio stations have been pulling his songs from their rotation, and there was even a movement to get his name removed from the MTV Video Vanguard Award.
It is a very awkward time to stand proud as a Michael Jackson stan, however amazing Thriller may be.
And how is the movie going to tackle that?
Even those who believe with all their hearts he didn’t commit the atrocities he’s accused of can’t deny he did hang out with all those little boys. That part is not in dispute.
Are they going to show that in the movie? Just totally innocent movie nights with the boys? It’s not like the drug or alcohol abuse we usually see in the dark second acts of music biopics; it’s just… inexplicable and disconcerting.
Also, let’s talk casting.
According to Deadline, the movie will cover MJ’s entire life! Who can play Michael Jackson at multiple times in his life?
Do you just get different actors for his very different looks?
Just putting this out there, Michael looked… pretty pale toward the end. Remember when white actor Joseph Fiennes was cast as the singer for a TV special? The entire thing got pulled before it even aired!
Are they going to keep one actor and just use makeup effects?? How do you recreate that transformation without getting called out for some form of insensitivity?
On a difficulty scale, we can’t imagine a tougher project than this. In the words of MJ, maybe they should just leave him alone…
What do YOU think??
[Image via Anwar Hussein/Chris Connor/WENN.]
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