Michael Jackson Biopic Coming to Lifetime; Movie Based on Ex-Bodyguard’s Book
On the same day a British television network canceled an Urban Myths episode featuring actor Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson in horrible makeup, Lifetime announced that it’s developing biopic about the late pop legend.
According to Rap-Up, Lifetime is creating a movie tentatively titled Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland. The film will be told from the perspective of Jackson’s former bodyguard Bill Whitfield. Whitfield is also the author of the 2014 book Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days, Searching for Neverland.
Famed Jackson impressionist Navi is reportedly portraying the King of Pop in the movie, while former The Wire star Chad L. Coleman will play Whitfield.
The teleplay will be written by Dianne Houston, who recently penned the screenplay for the Michel’le movie, Surviving Compton, and veteran producer Suzanne de Passe will executive produced the project.
Production on the movie will begin next month in Los Angeles.
When it comes to biopics, Lifetime has had a few hits and misses. While viewers praised the network's Whitney Houston biopic, they have also criticized the Aaliayh movie for its poor production values.
Recently, Michel'le's controversial Lifetime movie, Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le, generated plenty of heated reactions. West Coast hip-hop pioneer Alonzo Williams, who initially discovered Michel’le, said the movie is full of inaccuracies.