10 Movie Biopics That Desperately Need To Happen
1. Michael Jackson
Fantasy Casting: Well, it's complicated...
Michael Jackson has by far the most interesting life of any modern celebrity. He was beaten as a child and went on to become the greatest entertainer the world has ever seen, fought multiple child abuse allegations, dangled his baby over a balcony and was friends with a monkey.
No one’s doubting the potential for a movie here, but the problem with biopics is they need to tell definitive stories. Bohemian Rhapsody earned heavy criticism (and bizarrely, many Oscar nods) for making up large parts of the plot, but at least those parts were largely inconsequential. MJ’s story has a much more controversial narrative.
The filmmakers will need to come down on the he did/didn’t abuse children issue, which poses issues. Not showing it would be sanitising the most compelling part while featuring it means they’re unlikely to attract his massive fanbase or be allowed to use his music.
Regardless of the allegations, Michael openly slept in beds with children. Even without abuse, this would be an uncomfortable watch.
As for the cast, Jackson’s bleached skin may mean multiple performers. This would surely include a white person being cast for his later years, which already sounds controversial even as a hypothetical.