With the Michael Jackson Biopic starting filming this year, let’s have a deep look at those who are involved to produce a biopic about the biggest Entertainer of the century but also the most complex life that can be told: Michael Jackson.
It is unclear how those people will be able to condense a life full of achievements, events and drama into a 2 to 3 hours long biopic.
Antoine Fuqua: The Director
Fuqua has been hired as director for “Michael”, the official Michael Jackson Biopic. He is best known for his action and thriller movies but he originally was a music video director.
Fuqua began his career directing music videos for popular artists such as Toni Braxton, Stevie Wonder, and Prince. He directed Michelle Pfeiffer in the video Gangsta’s Paradise by Coolio which was used to promote Jerry Bruckheimer’s successful film Dangerous Minds.
His first movie was “The Replacement Killers” in 1998 and have now 17 movies under his belt such as “Olympus Has Fallen”, “The Equalizer” [1, 2 & 3] and more recently “Bullet Train” and “Emancipation” with Will Smith.
He also directed 4 documentaries such as “What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali” and in 2021 “The Day Sports Stood Still”.
While his movies are entertaining and mostly positively received, his last 6 movies were criticised as lacking of story telling and consistency. However, his Muhammad Ali’s documentary was a massive success and smartly crafted.
Fuqua’s role in “Michael” will be to control the film’s artistic and dramatic aspects and visualises the script while guiding the film crew and actors. He will be the one casting the actors as well.
John Logan: The Screenwriter
Logan is mostly known as a playwriter and screenwriter. He was a successful playwright in Chicago for many years before turning to screenwriting. His first play was in 1985 and turned to films in 1999. He is an Academy Award Winner for “Gladiator”, Golden Globe Award winner for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and Tony Award winner for “Red”.
He wrote the screenplay or script for blockbusters such as “Gladiator”, “Star Trek: Nemesis”, “The Last Samurai”, “Sweeney Todd” and “Alien: Covenant”.
His job on “Michael” will be essential for us the fans as Logan will be the one to decide what will be cut from the real life events of Michael Jackson to fit the 2/3hrs movie.
Graham King: The Producer
King is successful film producer and was nominated 4 times for the Academy Awards for Best Pictures for producing the films “The Aviator”, “Hugo”, “Bohemian Rhapsody” and winning for “The Departed”.
He his the CEO of the production company GK Films and he produced over 20 movies including the ones mentioned above but also “Tomb Raider”, “Jersey Boys” and “Blood Diamond”.
His job in “Michael” is to coordinate all aspects of the film production such as selecting the script, the director, the editor and arranging financing. Anything pre & post production and his main task will be to make sure the biopic is delivered on time and within the budget.
John Branca: Co-Producer or Executive Producer?
As Michael Jackson fans, we all know who is John Branca. Hired by Michael after he fired his own father to be his manager, Branca had key involvements in Michael’s career such as helping to produce and release “Thriller” short film, or purchasing ATV Music Publishing. Michael and Branca had a on-and-off relationship between 2003 and 2009. Michael allegedly fired him in 2003, then Branca resigned in 2006 but yet Branca was the one filling the “Thriller 25” & “The Essential Michael Jackson” registrations in the catalogue.
In the weeks before Michael Jackson officially rehired Branca [June 17, 2009] the attorney had several discussions with Michael’s representatives about what he wanted to accomplish…. three pronged mission: to get the estate out from under its crushing debt; to provide for Michael’s children and loved ones; and to restore the King of Pop’s legacy to its former glory.
Since then, Branca has been co-executor of Michael Jackson Estate since 2009 and produced projects such as “This Is It”, “Immortal”, “MJ ONE”, “BAD25” and “MJ the musical”.
It is unclear what title Branca will have in the movie but it is clear that he will be hugely involved in all aspect of the production and promotion. As for John McClain, his name is often on the Estate projects but rarely seen.
What now?
Now you know a bit more about the people involved in the Biopic, you can go and watch what they did in the past and have a feel of what to expect. The next step will be the actors selected for this biopic. As production is starting this year, we believe that most of the actors have now been selected. We will update you as soon as we know.
RELATED ARTICLE: “Michael” The Estate’s Biopic, is underway | Why A Michael Jackson Should Never Happen | The Michael Jackson Biopic: Yeap! It’s happening | Confirmed: The Michael Jackson Estate is working on a biopic | Confirmed: Michael Jackson biopic finds a worldwide distributor | Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson Biopic, ‘Michael,’ Is Casting for Its Star
