Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Releases Billie Jean Clip, Sets IMAX Preview
The clip and IMAX preview give the first extended look at how the film handles Jackson's most iconic performance, with the production's attention to physical and technical accuracy forming the core of its marketing strategy.
Reporting from 2 sources: Eiga Natalie, Cinema Today.
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' has released a new clip recreating the 1983 'Billie Jean' performance where the singer first performed the moonwalk. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's nephew, who underwent two years of rehearsal and analyzed original footage frame by frame to match the movements. The scene was filmed at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the same venue where the original 'Motown 25' special was recorded. Director Antoine Fuqua said the team felt a responsibility to accurately recreate the historic moment. The film also announces a three-day limited IMAX preview screening from June 5 to 7 at 62 theaters nationwide. Attendees will receive an A3 poster on a first-come, first-served basis. The movie traces Jackson's life from his childhood in the Jackson 5 through his solo career and global fame. The supporting cast includes Colman Domingo as father Joseph, Nia Long as mother Katherine, Kendrick Sampson as producer Quincy Jones, and Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca. The screenplay is by John Logan, with Graham King producing. 'Michael' opens nationwide on June 12, distributed by Kino Films.
The clip shows Jaafar Jackson performing the moonwalk in a sequined jacket, white glove, and the singer's iconic costume. His live-recorded vocals are fused with Michael Jackson's original vocals using advanced audio technology, according to the production.
Jaafar Jackson said the "Billie Jean" performance was the most meaningful to him and the first he started rehearsing. "It was the hardest performance I've ever done," he said. "I think I've watched it more times than any other Michael-related video in my life." He analyzed original footage frame by frame to match the movements.
Director Antoine Fuqua said, "Everyone remembers the moment Michael did the moonwalk. We felt a responsibility to accurately recreate that historic moment." The production researched stage design, lighting, and camera angles for the Pasadena Civic Auditorium set.
Julian Valdi plays the young Michael Jackson. Laura Harrier and Kaelin Darrell Jones also appear. The screenplay is by John Logan, with Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain producing. Fuqua directed "Training Day" and "The Equalizer" series. King produced "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.