So we’re getting a hagiography devoid of any genuine personality. Basically a medley of songs, strife and scenery.
MuptonBossman on
I’m sure this movie will be a crowd pleaser, but completely ignoring a lot of valid controversies surrounding Michael Jackson’s personal life feels a bit wrong to me.
kneeco28 on
> That’s after attorneys for the Jackson estate, which served as a producer, realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.
> After the late-stage discovery, filmmakers went back to the drawing board to come up with a new ending.
They made the movie before checking this?!
That’s dark but also so funny.
MarvelsGrantMan136 on
Details:
>In one scene from the film’s original script, the King of Pop stares at his reflection in the mirror, capturing his sorrowful gaze as police car lights flash behind him. It’s 1993, a decade after “Thriller” gripped the culture, and Jackson has just been accused of child molestation.
>But the sequence with investigators who arrive at Neverland Ranch to search for evidence is one of many that were left on the cutting room floor. “Michael,” which Lionsgate will release in the United States on April 24, was supposed to explore the impact of the allegations on Jackson’s life, with much of its third act devoted to the scandal. But that finale was scrapped, along with any mention of the child molestation accusations, according to sources with knowledge of the production. That’s after attorneys for the Jackson estate, which served as a producer, realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.
>After the late-stage discovery, filmmakers went back to the drawing board to come up with a new ending. The process was further delayed after the house of screenwriter John Logan was damaged in the Palisades fire. As a result, “Michael,” which had been scheduled to land in theaters on April 18, 2025, was delayed to Oct. 3 before moving a final time to spring 2026.
>Last June, the cast reassembled for 22 days of additional photography to shoot the new third act and flesh out scenes from earlier in the movie. Production restarted in Los Angeles, but didn’t qualify for any state tax rebates, which added $10 million to $15 million to the budget, according to sources with knowledge of similar projects. (“Michael” was greenlit for $155 million.) The Jackson estate shouldered those extra costs because its error necessitated the changes, insiders say. Because it was willing to foot that bill, the estate has an equity stake in the film, according to another individual with knowledge of the production.
>Now, instead of concluding with one of the most ignominious moments in Jackson’s career, “Michael” will end with the pop star still at his zenith. The last scene is set during Jackson’s “Bad” tour, following him as he prepares to take the stage for another electrifying performance, according to a source who has seen the finished film. Indeed, the movie leans heavily into Jackson’s music, featuring one showstopper after another, and away from his sometimes bizarre personal behavior (“Michael” does include a sweet moment where Jackson buys toys for kids in the hospital). In the new version, the dramatic tension comes from the singer’s relationship with his domineering father, Joe Jackson, who doesn’t want his son’s solo career to come at the expense of the Jackson 5, the Motown group that put the family on the map. The film will also explore Jackson’s recovery from the severe scalp burns he received from a pyrotechnics accident during the filming of a 1984 Pepsi commercial, including the painkillers he started to abuse during that period. Michael Jackson will be portrayed by his real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, while Joe will be played by Colman Domingo. Janet Jackson, the performer’s famous sister, is not a character in the movie, according to another insider.
>Jackson’s estate has been consulted on production decisions, and its representatives were a daily presence on set. The artist’s three children — Paris, Bigi and Prince — haven’t been involved, with Jackson’s attorney John Branca and estate archivist Karen Langford handling most of the discussions.
HTHID on
So a biographical film with no mention at all that as an adult he lived with children that had no familial relation to him?
zeydey on
A24 could’ve made a helluva horror movie out of this.
klitchell on
Sequels!?
IstIsmPhobe on
This is why you don’t make biopics where the subject/family/estate must approve all content.
Sure_Possession0 on
I’d love a Rush biopic. It can actually be pretty tame while being historically accurate.
edgelordjones on
So, DEFINITELY from the producer of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Urinal_Zyn on
If they were going to do this, they should have done that movie written from the POV of his monkey as well.
ICumCoffee on
> Removing Child Abuse Allegations
So it’s not a biography.
PatSajaksDick on
This looks like a Jackie Jormp Jomp
Either-History-8424 on
The Michael franchise just isn’t the same without John Travolta
piratevirus1 on
I’m not watching a movie about a pedophile.
nowhereman86 on
Sounds like the Queen movie all over again 🥱
Ada_Pearce on
Sounds like revisionist history
Maoleficent on
It makes me sick – yes he was an amazing performer. He was also a drug-addicted pedo.
Diced_and_Confused on
No need to waste your time.
halfwayray on
Can’t stand these biopics that have too much influence by the source or their estate. We’ll only see what his estate wants us to see to promote his brand
JimmyTheJimJimson on
Waste of fucking time if they don’t tell his story properly
Sleep_Fartnea on
This is going to make a trillion dollars in South East Asia.
SpaghettiNCoffee on
So a lame press kit that ignores truth. Got it. Pass.
Figgy1983 on
This is going to hurt the movie in the long run, not help it. It might be a great financial move, but it will not help the critical analysis of the film. Fans will demand a director’s cut. Instead, we’re getting another Bohemian Rhapsody.
25 Comments
So we’re getting a hagiography devoid of any genuine personality. Basically a medley of songs, strife and scenery.
I’m sure this movie will be a crowd pleaser, but completely ignoring a lot of valid controversies surrounding Michael Jackson’s personal life feels a bit wrong to me.
> That’s after attorneys for the Jackson estate, which served as a producer, realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.
> After the late-stage discovery, filmmakers went back to the drawing board to come up with a new ending.
They made the movie before checking this?!
That’s dark but also so funny.
Details:
>In one scene from the film’s original script, the King of Pop stares at his reflection in the mirror, capturing his sorrowful gaze as police car lights flash behind him. It’s 1993, a decade after “Thriller” gripped the culture, and Jackson has just been accused of child molestation.
>But the sequence with investigators who arrive at Neverland Ranch to search for evidence is one of many that were left on the cutting room floor. “Michael,” which Lionsgate will release in the United States on April 24, was supposed to explore the impact of the allegations on Jackson’s life, with much of its third act devoted to the scandal. But that finale was scrapped, along with any mention of the child molestation accusations, according to sources with knowledge of the production. That’s after attorneys for the Jackson estate, which served as a producer, realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.
>After the late-stage discovery, filmmakers went back to the drawing board to come up with a new ending. The process was further delayed after the house of screenwriter John Logan was damaged in the Palisades fire. As a result, “Michael,” which had been scheduled to land in theaters on April 18, 2025, was delayed to Oct. 3 before moving a final time to spring 2026.
>Last June, the cast reassembled for 22 days of additional photography to shoot the new third act and flesh out scenes from earlier in the movie. Production restarted in Los Angeles, but didn’t qualify for any state tax rebates, which added $10 million to $15 million to the budget, according to sources with knowledge of similar projects. (“Michael” was greenlit for $155 million.) The Jackson estate shouldered those extra costs because its error necessitated the changes, insiders say. Because it was willing to foot that bill, the estate has an equity stake in the film, according to another individual with knowledge of the production.
>Now, instead of concluding with one of the most ignominious moments in Jackson’s career, “Michael” will end with the pop star still at his zenith. The last scene is set during Jackson’s “Bad” tour, following him as he prepares to take the stage for another electrifying performance, according to a source who has seen the finished film. Indeed, the movie leans heavily into Jackson’s music, featuring one showstopper after another, and away from his sometimes bizarre personal behavior (“Michael” does include a sweet moment where Jackson buys toys for kids in the hospital). In the new version, the dramatic tension comes from the singer’s relationship with his domineering father, Joe Jackson, who doesn’t want his son’s solo career to come at the expense of the Jackson 5, the Motown group that put the family on the map. The film will also explore Jackson’s recovery from the severe scalp burns he received from a pyrotechnics accident during the filming of a 1984 Pepsi commercial, including the painkillers he started to abuse during that period. Michael Jackson will be portrayed by his real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, while Joe will be played by Colman Domingo. Janet Jackson, the performer’s famous sister, is not a character in the movie, according to another insider.
>Jackson’s estate has been consulted on production decisions, and its representatives were a daily presence on set. The artist’s three children — Paris, Bigi and Prince — haven’t been involved, with Jackson’s attorney John Branca and estate archivist Karen Langford handling most of the discussions.
So a biographical film with no mention at all that as an adult he lived with children that had no familial relation to him?
A24 could’ve made a helluva horror movie out of this.
Sequels!?
This is why you don’t make biopics where the subject/family/estate must approve all content.
I’d love a Rush biopic. It can actually be pretty tame while being historically accurate.
So, DEFINITELY from the producer of Bohemian Rhapsody.
If they were going to do this, they should have done that movie written from the POV of his monkey as well.
> Removing Child Abuse Allegations
So it’s not a biography.
This looks like a Jackie Jormp Jomp
The Michael franchise just isn’t the same without John Travolta
I’m not watching a movie about a pedophile.
Sounds like the Queen movie all over again 🥱
Sounds like revisionist history
It makes me sick – yes he was an amazing performer. He was also a drug-addicted pedo.
No need to waste your time.
Can’t stand these biopics that have too much influence by the source or their estate. We’ll only see what his estate wants us to see to promote his brand
Waste of fucking time if they don’t tell his story properly
This is going to make a trillion dollars in South East Asia.
So a lame press kit that ignores truth. Got it. Pass.
This is going to hurt the movie in the long run, not help it. It might be a great financial move, but it will not help the critical analysis of the film. Fans will demand a director’s cut. Instead, we’re getting another Bohemian Rhapsody.
This will win a Razzie or several.