King of Pop Michael Jackson returns to the big screen as plans for a new biopic are underway.
According to Weekly Entertainment, Lionsgate roped Emancipation director Antoine Fuqua at the helm of the next Michael, on the career and music of the superstar.
Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King is behind the production, while the Gladiator screenwriter John Logan is writing the screenplay.
The film is set to start filming in 2023, with no confirmation on who is playing the lead role.
“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music is an integral part of who I am,” Fuqua added.
“To me, there is no artist with the power, charisma and sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first black artist to play on rotation intensive on MTV.
His music and these images are part of my vision of the world. The opportunity to tell his story on screen alongside his music was irresistible.”
However, the pop icon’s life has been full of controversy, including serious allegations of child sexual abuse.
But Lionsgate determined that the film “will explore all aspects of Michael’s life.
“The film ‘will offer audiences a never-before-seen, in-depth portrait of the complicated man who became the King of Pop.’