The famous question of who could genuinely play Michael Jackson in a biopic will soon be answered with a project led by legendary director Antoine Fuqua.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the man behind “Training Day” and “Brooklyn’s Finest” would be taking on the fascinating life of the late pop icon. Production is set to begin this year once Fuqua wraps up his work on “The Equalizer 3.” Sources confirmed to Variety that the Oscar-poised film would explore the rise of the Jackson 5 and his transition into solo superstardom. Additionally, the movie is sure to touch on the highly publicized physical changes that the singer underwent throughout his career, much of which he attributed to vitiligo.
Fuqua, who got his big break directing music videos, said he has long been inspired by Jackson. When presented with the opportunity to lead such a monumental film about his life, Fuqua called it “irresistible.”
“For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson,” he shared in a statement.
While there is no doubting Fuqua’s abilities, everyone is eager to know who will portray Jackson. Actors Alex Burrall, Jason Weaver, and Wylie Draper all played the King of Pop in various life stages during the 1992 television film “The Jacksons: An American Dream.” Then in 2004, “One on One” star Flex Alexander took a stab at the role for another made-for-tv biopic of Jackson’s life, though his rendition is embedded in pop culture history as a laughing stock.
Helping Fuqua bring the story to life are producer Graham King and writer John Logan. The film reunites King and Logan, who worked on “The Aviator.” Lionsgate will present the film, which they state will “explore all aspects of Michael’s life.”
No official release date has been announced.
