Antoine Fuqua will direct Michael, the upcoming biopic about Michael Jackson for Lionsgate.

“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am,” Fuqua said in a statement. “For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson.”

“I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible,” he added.

“Antoine’s films provide personal perspectives of larger-than-life characters that continuously captivate global audiences,” said Graham King, who co-produces Michael with John Branca and John McClain.

King produced the Oscar-winning Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.

John Logan has written the script for the biopic, which tells the life and career of the late pop icon. The film is set to begin shooting this year.

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