Getty Images
The King of Pop returns to the small screen.
Only hours after the U.K.’s Sky TV axed an upcoming episode of Urban Myths featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson due to criticism, it was announced that Lifetime has ordered a biopic on the infamous popstar.
The working title of the film is MICHAEL JACKSON: SEARCHING FOR NEVERLAND and it will tell the story of Michael Jackson’s last years from the point of view of his bodyguards. The role of Jackson will be played by Navi, the world’s preeminent Michael Jackson tribute artist, with Chad L. Coleman of The Walking Dead playing one of Jackson’s most trusted bodyguards, Bill Whitefield.
Suzanne de Passe, who worked with Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 early in her career when she was a creative assistant to Motown super-producer Berry Gordy, is behind the project which is based on the book Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days.
Executive producing alongside de Passa are Madison Jones and Robert Teitel of The Barbershop franchise. Silver Screen is the production company.
Diane Houston (Take the Lead) will direct the script by Elizabeth Hunter (Jumping the Broom).
Production on the film is set to begin next month in Los Angeles, with a premiere date set for later this year.
Coleman is repped by TalentWorks and Vanguard Management Group.
Houston is repped by The Kaplan Stahler Agency.
Hunter is repped by Circle of Confusion.
Dave McNamee | Staff Writer
