Washington, Feb 25 (.) Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, directing the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, described bringing the life of the legendary pop icon to the screen as both challenging and inspiring, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film, set for release in theaters and IMAX on April 24, is produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain, with a screenplay by John Logan. Domestic distribution will be handled by Lionsgate, while Universal Pictures oversees international distribution.
In a video shared by Lionsgate, Fuqua reflected on Jackson’s influence on his own creative path. “It’s a very spiritual journey, making a movie about someone like Michael,” he said. “Michael was a big influence on my career as a director, seeing how he refused to get put in a box as just a Black artist only,” as quoted by the outlet.
The cast includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, with Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Derek Luke in supporting roles. The project is produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain, with a screenplay by John Logan.
Fuqua noted that Jackson’s artistry naturally lends itself to the big screen. “Michael’s whole life was giving people this joy of his voice,” he said. “When I watched him on TV, he was always larger than life. For me as a filmmaker, it wasn’t a leap to see it in a cinematic way.”
He added that capturing Jackson’s story required examining the delicate balance between his devotion to family and his passion for music, as per The Hollywood Reporter.
Originally envisioned as a comprehensive portrait of Jackson’s life, the film will now conclude with his exit from The Jacksons after the release of his 1979 solo album Off the Wall. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a second installment is in development, focusing on the later phases of Jackson’s career leading up to his death in 2009.
Speaking previously to the publication and at a 2024 San Diego Comic-Con panel, Fuqua described Jackson as “a big part of my life growing up, a big influence on my career, an incredible artist, but he was a human being, and we’re exploring that.”
. MI .