John Branca: Last News

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer “Michael,” the splashy forthcoming biopic about Michael Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua, has added actor Laura Harrier in a key role. Harrier, of “BlacKkKlansman” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming” fame, will portray pioneering female music executive Suzanne de Passe in the Lionsgate project. De Passe was a creative assistant to Motown founder Berry Gordy, and is credited with convincing Gordy to sign The Jackson 5 to his label.

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International have announced the eight actors set to portray members of the Jackson 5 — Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie — at various stages of their lives in the Michael Jackson biopic Michael.

Angelique Jackson The Jackson 5 have found their harmony once again for the upcoming biopic “Michael” from director Antoine Fuqua and Oscar winning producer Graham King. After a worldwide search led filmmakers to cast Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, as the King of Pop, with 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi as the younger Michael, fans have been eagerly waiting to see who would round out the rest of the Jackson family. The film, which is scheduled to hit theaters on April 18, 2025, is currently in production.

Jordan Moreau The first look at the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic has been released, and it recreates one of the singer’s most iconic outfits. Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, plays the King of Pop in “Michael,” which releases in theaters on April 18, 2025. The film is now in production.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music In what is apparently the conclusion of a deal that Variety tipped a year ago, Sony Music Group has completed a transaction to acquire half of Michael Jackson’s publishing and recorded masters in a transaction that values the total catalog at around $1.2 billion, and possibly more, sources confirm to Variety. Billboard reports that Sony will pay at least $600 million for the stake. If accurate, the deal is the biggest for a single music artist’s assets to date.

Angelique Jackson Michael Jackson will be back on the big screen on April 18, 2025 with “Michael,” a biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring the late King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in his first major role. Lionsgate is releasing the movie domestically, while Universal is handling overseas distribution. The film will begin production on Jan.

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International announced on Tuesday that Universal will serve as the international distributor for the Michael Jackson biopic Michael, starring the pop superstar’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, which we were first to report on. Uni will handle all territories apart from Japan, with Lionsgate repping the film on the domestic front.

Director Antoine Fuqua is teasing Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic he is set to work on and says he’s “blown” away by the “uncanny” resemblance between the lead star and his real-life uncle, the King of Pop.

MJ, the Broadway musical about Michael Jackson and featuring his many hits, has recouped its initial investment, producers announced today.

Gene Maddaus Senior Media Writer “Michael,” the Lionsgate biopic about Michael Jackson, will receive more than $21 million in California tax credits, the state’s film commission announced Monday. The California Film Commission announced the latest round of credit allocations, totaling $81.7 million for 24 projects. The commission stated that “Michael” will generate $120 million in “qualified” in-state spending, which is more than any other project in the 14-year history of the tax credit program. The project was announced in January, with Jackson’s nephew Jaafar in the lead role. John Branca and John McClain, the executors of the Jackson estate, are producing with Graham King.

Paris Jackson looked casual while riding her Vespa in Los Angeles on Friday just days after her father's estate decided to see half his music catalog. The 24-year-old model donned a brown and white tie-dye sweater and a pair of blue jeans. She added dark brown shoes to her ensemble. She pulled a white motorcycle helmet snug over her head as she drove the brown-gray vehicle.Jackson's appearance out came just days after it was revealed her father's estate would sell half of the late singer's music catalog. The estate is reportedly selling half the catalog for between $800-900 million, according to Variety.  Casual: Paris Jackson looked casual while riding her Vespa in Los Angeles on Friday just days after her father's estate decided to see half his music catalogVariety insiders stated claimed Sony and an unknown financial partner are negotiating for 50% of the catalog and other projects such as the MJ: The Musical and the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic. This would be the largest amount of money ever spent on a music catalog. Speaking of the biopic, Paris' cousin Jaafar Jackson is set to play the King of Pop in an upcoming biopic called Michael, according to Deadline. Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, brother of Michael and a member of The Jackson 5.

Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson is set to play the King of Pop in an upcoming biopic called Michael, according to Deadline.Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, brother of Michael and a member of The Jackson 5.The 26-year-old has been singing and dancing since the age of 12, following the footsteps of his famous family.Michael died in 2009 at age 50, due to a cocktail of sedatives leading to a cardiac arrest. The biopic, which will be directed by Antoine Fuqua for Lionsgate, will be produced by GK Films and also John Branca and John McClain, who are co-executors of Michael Jackson's estate. Jaafar shared his gratitude at getting the role via his Twitter account, along with a black and white photo of himself dressed like his famous late uncle.  Keeping it in the family: Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson is set to play the King of Pop in an upcoming biopic, according to Deadline  Iconic: Jaafar shared his gratitude at getting the role via his Twitter account, along with a black and white photo of himself dressed like his famous late uncleJaafar wrote: 'I'm humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael's story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I'll see you soon.'In the image, Jaafar was wearing an iconic Michael look- striped pants with a white T-shirt and jacket, hat, and shoes in his signature pose.  Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza.Earlier this month, Antoine was announced as director to Lionsgate's upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, which has been approved by the deceased pop star's estate.

EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon’s 26-year old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film biopic for Lionsgate. Fuqua just posted a confirmation on Instagram. The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson, who is the brother of Michael and member of The Jackson 5. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals.

EXCLUSIVE: Antoine Fuqua is set to direct Michael, a Lionsgate drama with script by telling the complex life story of the iconic singer Michael Jackson. A script is in by John Logan, and the film will be produced by Graham King, who turned the Freddie Mercury Queen story into the blockbuster Best Picture nominated Bohemian Rhapsody. GK Films will produce alongside co-executors of Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain.

Michael Jackson is about to be the focus of a new biopic.

Michael Jackson biopic is in the works, with Bohemian Rhapsody‘s Graham King on board to produce the film.According to Variety, the forthcoming movie – titled Michael – is being made with the blessing of the Michael Jackson estate. The screenplay is being written by John Logan (Gladiator, Skyfall), who previously worked with King on Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator (2004).John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of Jackson’s estate, will produce the biopic alongside King, who first met the Jackson family in 1981.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaLionsgate will distribute a new Michael Jackson biopic that will be produced by “Bohemian Rhapsody’s” Graham King. The film is being made with the cooperation of the Michael Jackson estate, which may impact how it deals with the multiple allegations of child sexual abuse that were brought against the King of Pop over the course of his career and following his 2009 death.Entitled “Michael,” the film will be produced by King, who mined similar terrain with Freddie Mercury, and the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain.

The Graham King produced Michael Jackson biopic project, which is being made with the blessing of the pop legend’s estate, is seeing its worldwide distribution rights snapped up by Lionsgate.

Michael Jackson's estate won a major, years-long court battle after a U.S. tax court found the IRS inflated the value of his assets and image at the time of his death.