FEATURE:
Man in the Mirror
IN THIS PHOTO: Michael Jackson performs in Germany in June, 1988/PHOTO CREDIT: David Baltzer/Zenit/IAIF IAIF/Redux
Will a Planned Michael Jackson Biopic Prove Too Controversial?
__________
THE fact that Michael Jackson’s…
best-known album, Thriller, is forty in November makes new of a biopic well-timed and appropriate. Although the news broke a couple of weeks or so back, I have been thinking about it a lot. It is fair to say there has been a lot of controversy around Jackson’s legacy the last few years or so. Following the Leaving Neverland documentary where allegations of sexual abuse were levied at him, there was a long period after 2019 when his songs were not played on radio. I have heard his tracks played on BBC Radio 2, though many of the other major stations have him blacklisted. It may be some time before that decision is overturned. It makes the timing of a biopic interesting. Will there be critical and public appetite and understanding for the new project? This NME article reported news of a biopic that has been greenlit by the Michael Jackson estate:
“A new Michael Jackson biopic is in the works, with Bohemian Rhapsody‘s Graham King on board to produce the film.
According to Variety, the forthcoming movie – titled Michael – is being made with the blessing of the Michael Jackson estate. The screenplay is being written by John Logan (Gladiator, Skyfall), who previously worked with King on Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator (2004).
John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of Jackson’s estate, will produce the biopic alongside King, who first met the Jackson family in 1981. Lionsgate will distribute Michael globally.
“I’m humbled to bring their legacy to the big screen,” King explained. “Sitting at Dodger Stadium watching the Victory Tour, I could never have imagined that nearly 38 years later I would get the privilege to be a part of this film.”
Per a press release, “Michael will give audiences an in-depth portrayal of the complicated man who became the King of Pop. It will bring to life Jackson’s most iconic performances as it gives an informed insight into the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life.”
The late singer’s mother, Katherine Jackson, said: “Ever since Michael was little, as a member of The Jackson 5, he loved the magic of cinema. As a family, we are honoured to have our life story come alive on the big screen.”
The involvement of Jackson’s estate in the project suggests that the movie won’t deal with the allegations of child sexual abuse that were levelled against the singer during his career and after his death in 2009.
Back in 2019, the four-hour documentary Leaving Neverland included testimony from James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who claimed they were sexually abused by Jackson as children in the 1990s.
Michael Jackson denied any wrongdoing prior to his death aged 50.
It was reported in November 2019 that Graham King had secured the rights to make a film about Jackson’s life and career. At the time, it was said that the movie was not “intended to be a sanitised rendering of Jackson’s life”.
Of course, there is more to the legacy and name Michael Jackson than controversy. Since he started recording with The Jackson 5 and released solo material, he rightly was crowned the King of Pop. Selling millions of albums, producing pioneering live shows and some of the very greatest songs we will ever hear, I am glad that there is a biopic happening. It is not to say it will whitewash and overlook allegations, controversy and darker moments. This is the thing with music biopics. Whether it concerns Elton John, Freddie Mercury or another artist, a lot of the more salacious, troubling and darker times. Michael Jackson is someone who, for good and bad, courted media obsession right through his career. He himself put himself on a pedestal and did let ego and popularity get to him. I wonder whether Michael is going to be a look at Jackson from the start to end of his career or it will be a particular time period. It does sound like it will be pretty deep. The fact the estate is backing it means that there could be subjectiveness in terms of what is omitted. One would not assume that any of the abuse allegations through his career will be covered - though I think we will see a more complex and disturbed artist, rather than painting him as this saint and icon. He was a genius and master of his craft, so I would be interested seeing someone portray Jackson as he works in the studio on albums like Thriller alongside produce Quincy Jones.
I think Michael will be a chance for reflection. Neither portraying Jackson as spotless or a blighter and maligned figure, there will be multiple sides of his character examined. Although I do not want the biopic to shirk from looking objectively at Jackson, I also feel that the music should be the main focus. Almost forty years after one of his greatest masterpieces, Thriller, Michael Jackson remains unsurprised as a Pop artist. I have to ask the question as to whether the public and critics will be on board. We are not sure when it is coming out, though the memories are fresh and the scars raw regarding Leaving Neverland. If the biopic is too clean-cut and sanitised, then that will lead to criticism. If it is too honest and open, then that could also put people off. If it is released this year or next, we may see opinions and consensus change enough so that Jackson is re-evaluated or accepted. For those like me who grew up with his music, it is bittersweet news. There will be a lot of questions asked about whether Jackson is worthy; whether we should be putting him on the big screen. As someone who discovered Pop in a big way through him, it is only right that he is celebrated and honoured. Some quarters will protest and scathe the biopic. It will be popular in the box office and, as music biopics often do, see Jackson’s albums bought in bulk. He will definitely make appearances on the chart again. Let’s hope that Michael is not black and white, and it does look at the layers and different sides to a musician who is compelling and troubled in equal measures. Getting the balance right and making the biopic truthful is key! In that sense…
NO message could have been any clearer.