Photo: Aaron Lambert-Pool/Getty Images
Graham King, a producer behind the hit Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, has signed on to create a film about the life of Michael Jackson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The late singer's estate have reportedly signed over the rights to Jackson's music for the film, and will work with King on its production. John Logan (The Aviator, Skyfall, Hugo) is attached to write.
The film is likely to be extremely controversial, as it will enter production in the wake of the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. In the two-part series, Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse spanning years by former associates Wade Robson and James Safechuck. Jackson's estate has strongly denied the accusations and launched a lawsuit against HBO. Robson and Safechuck also face a defamation lawsuit in French court, launched by fans of the singer seeking a "symbolic amount."
A musical based on the singer's life titled MJ: The Musical will debut on Broadway in 2020. The production will be written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and directed by Christopher Wheedon.
