The story of Michael Jackson a.k.a. the King of Pop will soon come to light thanks to director Antoine Fuqua who is responsible for helming Michael. The biographical musical drama follows the life and career of the late cultural figure and will be released next year. The film will offer an intimate and comprehensive look at one of the most influential, as well as controversial, figures in the music industry. Needless to say, Michael is creating a lot of buzz already.
However, when it comes to biopics, there are times when the films do not do justice to the person they are based on. Whether it is the wrong casting choice or dull storytelling, something or the other usually falls short. However, it looks like Michael does not belong to this category as the first look at the imitation of one of the most iconic moments of Michael Jackson’s career has been leaked and it looks like the creators know what they are doing.
First Look at Michael Jackson’s Thriller in the Biopic
Back in 1982, Michael Jackson released his sixth studio album titled Thriller, and the music video for its namesake title track took the world by storm. Hailed as the greatest music video ever made, the almost fourteen-minute-long video was nothing like we have ever seen. It went on to become the first music video to be included in the Library of Congress’ prestigious National Film Registry.
Thriller has always been a cultural phenomenon in itself with fans from all over the world still recreating it and grooving out to the tunes, exactly how Jackson did. Of course, the upcoming biopic couldn’t possibly have missed out on including this iconic moment in it.
Now, fans finally get to feast their eyes on the leaked set photos which show the filming of the Thriller music video, and let’s just say that things are looking great! Jaafar Jackson, who is playing the lead role, is seen in the photographs looking almost exactly like his uncle.
Take a look at the leaked images below:
First look at the ‘Thriller’ music video scene in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic. https://t.co/AtFVoOnXyY
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 25, 2024
Michael also stars Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as manager John Branca, and more. The film is produced by Graham King and written by John Logan.
Fans React to the Leaked Photos
After the photos made it to the Internet, fans obviously couldn’t keep their calm and it didn’t take long for them to react to what was in front of them. While set leaks are often met with negative reactions, Michael pleasantly shocked the fans.
They immediately praised the leaks and the film for going all out in its replication of Thriller and stated that they couldn’t wait any longer for the release. Here’s what they had to say about the leaks on X:
Theaters are not ready for what's to come, they'll be packed with standing room only… Everyone is gunna be seated
— Kelly Jackson (Michael Jacksons) wife (@KellyBills14) May 25, 2024
oh we’re eating good pic.twitter.com/lRqYMGYaDV
— tori (@pandamedy) May 25, 2024
It’s crazy it actually look like the real version
— Taethegreatest🎰🍒🍀 (@_Taethegreatest) May 25, 2024
I’m so excited for this biopic you don’t understand pic.twitter.com/QMgzLTPteA
— ⋆ ᵀᴬᴱ ⋆ (@icymauh) May 25, 2024
this actually looks so cool
— poppy 🦋 (@imnotpopbase) May 25, 2024
Last month, Lionsgate’s panel at the CinemaCon ended with a surprise look at the biopic and King revealed (via The Hollywood Reporter) that it will have over 30 songs in it. He also stated that the film will be quite long. As for the controversies that Jackson was involved in, King’s words prove that the biopic will focus on every major thing that happened in his life.
He said,
Behind the unrelenting scrutiny and the accusations and the blinding media spotlight, he was simply a man. A man who lived a very complicated life. The movie will get into all of it.
As if fans weren’t already excited enough about the biopic, King confirmed that their upcoming film wasn’t going to be like anything the audience had seen before.
Michael will be released in theatres on April 18, 2025.
