Image via @MichaelJackson Twitter
Antoine Fuqua has been chosen by Lionsgate to helm the eagerly anticipated project, according to an exclusive Deadline report. Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody) will produce the movie Michael, which was written by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, Hugo).
According to Liongate, Michael will provide viewers with a comprehensive understanding of “the complicated man who became the King of Pop” and “explore all aspects of Michael’s life, including his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time.” The production will start this year, the studio has confirmed, but it has not provided any other specifics about the project, such as casting information or an anticipated release date in the United States.
The announcement is made while Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer 3 is about to wrap up under the direction of Fuqua. Although Fuqua is most known for helming films like Training Day, Shooter, The Magnificent Seven, and Emancipation, he really started off directing music videos for artists like Brian McKnight, Heavy D, Prince, and Coolio.
“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am,” he told Deadline. “For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.”