Training Day director set to direct Michael Jackson biopic

Antoine Fuqua will direct a movie about the life and career of Michael Jackson.

The pop superstar is recognised as one of the best and most influential artists of all time, but his entire life has been marred by controversy. Over the past decade, several men have come forward with allegations that Jackson sexually assaulted them as boys.

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It is those allegations that have led many to believe that a tell-all biopic might not happen, but a Lionsgate press release confirms that the movie will address "all aspects" of Jackson's life, while Fuqua was also announced as the director.

"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," said Fuqua.

"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."

John Logan is writing the biopic with the working title Michael.

Michael Jackson biopic will happen

Last year TJ Jackson, the son of Tito Jackson, says a biopic "is going to happen" and will have some focus on the "awful" allegations aimed at his uncle, who passed away in 2009.

“I think it’s awful, to be honest. I think it’s very sad,” TJ told the Daily Mail.

“I think it’s in a way disgusting because what sells in this world is negativity. People like to gossip, people like scandals. My uncle is not here to defend himself, so he’s an easy target. He was always an easy target, because he was always quiet.

“But now that he’s no longer with us, there couldn’t be an easier target. Everyone knows who Michael Jackson is. So it’s an easy story to sell. But I truly believe truth always wins out.

“The importance my family had in black culture first, black people, and allowing people of all nationalities to idolise a black family or black figures is something I think gets lost.

“To become, you know, sex symbols for our huge band and number one in the early 70s as black kids is an incredible accomplishment. That story needs to be amplified in my opinion. So I think there will be a Jackson story, a biopic.”