Summary
Colman Domingo addresses the controversy surrounding the upcoming biopicMichael. Domingo plays Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, inMichael, which chronicles the rise and early career of the King of Pop.Michaelis directed byTraining DayandThe Equalizerdirector Antoine Fuqua, and written by John Logan. In addition to Domingo,Michaelfeatures a leading castincluding Miles Teller, Kat Graham, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Jafaar Jackson, and Larenz Tate.
Star Jafaar Jackson is the nephew of real-life King of Pop Michael Jackson.
Speaking withEntertainment Tonight,Domingo reacts to the controversy surroundingMichael. The actor’s spin onMichaelwas that the film would “tell the story of a very complicated person.” Domingo also went on to praise Jackson as an artist, saying that he is “undeniably one of the most prolific artists that has ever been on this planet.” Overall, the actor said thatMichaelwill “shine a different light on Michael Jackson.” Check out the full quote from Domingo below:
[Michaelwill] tell the story of a very complicated person
Michael Jackson is undeniably one of the most prolific artists that has ever been on this planet. He’s a complicated human being and I think what the film will do is tell the story of a very complicated person.
Everyone has a story. [The film will] shine a different light on Michael Jackson.
Why Michael Is So Controversial Explained
The Movie Has Already Faced Some Backlash
As Domingo addresses in his quote,Jackson was an extremely complex figure during his life. It is known that Michael and the other members of the Jackson 5 were put under immense pressure by Joe Jackson while they were child stars. Catapulted into fame and its risks so early on set Jackson up for a tumultuous life.
The controversy will likely not have much clarity untilMichael’s 2025 release.
After his death, Jackson’s legacy was further complicated by the release of the docuseriesLeaving Neverland. The series chronicles Jackson’s child predation allegations of two young boys that he reportedly groomed during the height of his fame. More recently,Leaving NeverlanddirectorDan Reed has called the biopicMichael"startlingly disingenuous.“This has led some to believe thatMichaelwill ignore the allegations against Jackson, instead presenting a sugar-coated version of the figure when focusing on his rise to fame.
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Like Jackson’s allegations themselves, this backlash is not as cut-and-dry as it could be. While Reed’s comments about the film raise concern,producer Graham King has said that the film will “not sanitize"Jackson’s legacy and “will get into all of it.” This statement fuels the film’s controversy, as it muddies the waters as to what the biopicMichaelwill cover. Domingo is not explicit in his statement either, implying the biopic has nuance without specifying how exactly it renders that complexity. At this point, the controversy will likely not have much clarity untilMichael’s 2025 release.
Michael
Cast
Michael is a biopic exploring the life of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. The film delves into Jackson’s complex persona, highlighting his iconic performances and providing an insight into his artistic process and personal life. It aims to present a comprehensive portrait of the influential entertainer.
