One of the biggest names in musical history is heading to the big screen, with a new biopic set to focus on the life and times of pop icon Michael Jackson.
Ever since he made his musical debut with The Jackson 5 back in 1964, a then-six-year-old Michael Jackson was practically destined for success.
By the time he began a solo career at age 13, Jackson was already a household name, and after 1982’s Thriller began its journey towards becoming the highest-selling album of all-time, there was no denying that Michael Jackson was the very definition of a musical icon.
While he was no stranger to controversy over the years, his 2009 death was a tragic end to an enigmatic life and would cement his status as a music legend who died way too young.
Now, the story of Michael Jackson is set to hit the big screen.
As Deadline reports, acclaimed Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King has managed to obtain the rights from Jackson’s estate to create a musical biopic about his life, with full permission granted to the pop icon’s discography.
This news comes just weeks after King was reported to be behind an upcoming Bee Gees biopic, and is complemented by reports that three-time Oscar-nominated writer John Logan has been recruited to write the script.
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Interestingly, an idea of the film’s approach to Jackson’s equally celebrated and criticised life may be seen via The Aviator, a 2004 film about Howard Hughes that saw King and Logan work together to create the 11-time Academy Award nominated drama.
While Deadline speculates the finished product will not be a “sanitized rendering of Jackson’s life”, the film is still in its early stages with no production studio attached the project.
As Variety adds, the news was confirmed by a spokesperson for Graham King, though no comment was made in regards to whether the film will touch upon the accusations made against Michael Jackson in the controversial Leaving Neverland documentary.
The documentary itself focuses around claims of child sex abuse made against Jackson, giving particular attention to the allegations made by Jimmy Safechuck and Brisbane-born Wade Robson.
While Jackson’s estate has called it nothing but a “tabloid character assassination”, it seems as though the allegations made have carried some weight, with radio stations around the world dropping Jackson’s music in response, and even his iconic episode of The Simpsons being pulled from streaming services.
Further details, including the potential release date for the biopic, are yet to be announced.
Check out ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson:
