Universal Pictures will distribute the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, simply named Michael, in theaters overseas.
The Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael Jackson biopic, starring Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, is set to begin production after the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Lionsgate is producing the picture and will distribute in North America.
The movie will be produced by Graham King (producer of the Oscar-winning “Bohemian Rhapsody”) and penned by John Logan (“Gladiator,” “The Aviator,” and many other acclaimed, Oscar titles).
King will coproduce the film alongside John Branca and John McClain. The picture will have the participation of the coexecutors of Jackson’s estate.
King has a track record for producing awards-friendly, commercially successful true-life tales, such as “Argo” and “Ali.”
He is currently working on an in-development Bee Gees biopic for Paramount.
Baz Luhrmann’s blockbuster “Elvis” ($285 million global on an $85 million budget) showed that the real-life rock star could still qualify as a butts-in-seats marquee character.
That said, the recent Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody didn’t find an audience.
