As history would prove it, Lifetime doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to biopics. While the ones that include the creative direction of artists whose stories they’re sharing have done well (Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart), when they take free reign over the the rumored stories and lives of controversial stars, it can be quite the spectacle (Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B, Britney Ever After).
So I’m sure the idea of Lifetime telling Michael Jackson’s story through their new film Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland, would scare any fan of the late King of Pop. However, the trailer is actually promising.
The biopic is based on the best-selling book Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days. The story, according to the network, is told from the standpoint of his bodyguards who speak on the last days of his life during the investigation of his death. Those bodyguards are played by Chad Coleman of The Wire and The Walking Dead fame and actor Sam Adegoke. The film will cover the faithful father he was, as well as the behind-the-scenes drama he had to deal with. Jackson is played by popular impersonator and “tribute artist” Navi, who does bear somewhat of a convincing resemblance to his idol.
The film’s script is written by Elizabeth Hunter and directed by Dianne Houston. And executive producers include Robert Teitel, Madison Jones and Suzanne de Passe. Yes, that Suzanne de Passe, acclaimed TV and film producer behind The Jacksons: An American Dream, Motown 25 and the woman entrusted with helping to develop the style and careers of Jackson and The Jackson 5.
This project is receiving nowhere near the same heat as Sky Arts’ Urban Myths, which was aiming to do an episode called “Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon.” It was based on a story claiming that on September 11, Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando took a quirky road trip together out of New York. Joseph Fiennes’ portrayal (as a White man) of the King of Pop in the comedy garnered a massive amount of backlash, causing the episode as a whole to be pulled.
Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland is set to premiere on May 29, Memorial Day, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. Check out the trailer for yourself below:
Images via Lifetime
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