The Michael Jackson biopic has just found its director. It is the filmmaker, Antoine Fuqua, who will direct the film on the life and work of one of the biggest stars of pop.
Antoine Fuqua is about to change its tone. After directing Will Smith in Emancipation (2022) on Apple TV+, the American director known for his punchy films like the masterful Training Day (2001) worn by Denzel Washington, the first installment of the action Equalizer (2014), or even Belly Rage (2015) starring Jake Gyllenhaal, will direct the biopic on Michael Jackson. Lionsgate has indeed announced, via Deadlinethat the filmmaker will direct the film on the life and work of the King of Pop, produced by Graham King, to whom we already owe Bohemian RhapsodyOscar-winning feature film in 2019, retracing the journey of Queen and her leader Freddie Mercury.
The man for the job
In a press release, Antoine Fuqua returned to his desire to participate in the project explaining: “The first films of my career were music videos, and I always felt that combining film and music was an integral part of who I am.. For me, there is no artist equal to the power, charisma and pure musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first black artist to sing on repeat on MTV. His music and these images are part of my vision of the world”.
John Logan, known for his work on Gladiator (2000) by Ridley Scott, signs the screenplay here, while filming should begin this year. According to the first information, the film will be “an unprecedented and in-depth portrait of the complicated man who became the King of Pop. » The project should thus return to its beginnings within the Jackson Five, but also show its solo rise marked by its most emblematic performances, while returning to the setbacks which marked its end of career. On the other hand, for the moment, we do not know who will play the American star to whom we owe the hits of 1982, Thriller, Billie John or Beat Itin this soberly titled biopic Michael.
From music star to biopic star
If for the moment no release date has been announced, Antoine Fuqua’s film should not be the only biopic to land on our screens soon. Currently filming, Back to Black d’Amy Winehouse will return to the life of the singer who disappeared at the age of 27, in 2011. Madonna, meanwhile, will lead her own biopic in which she will lead Julia Garner. Finally, on the French side, Joséphine Baker will benefit from her own film adaptation, directed by Maïmouna Doucouré.