Jim Packer, the president of worldwide television distribution at Lionsgate, has expressed tremendous confidence in the company’s upcoming project. Lionsgate, known for iconic franchises like The Hunger Games, John Wick, and Twilight, is now working on a biographical film about the legendary American singer-songwriter and dancer Michael Jackson.
Scheduled for an April 2025 release, the development of Michael began in 2017. Although it was officially announced in 2019, production, originally set to commence in 2023, only started this January due to the SAG-AFTRA strike that impacted the industry.
Despite these setbacks, Lionsgate has now claimed that the Michael Jackson biopic will be the most significant film they have ever produced. Whether this is pure confidence or overconfidence is up for debate, but the buzz around the film is undeniable.
During an investor conference, Packer remarked,
“The buzz that we’re getting every time a photo gets released is kind of crazy. And I think that’ll be the biggest movie we’ve ever had.”
Additionally, at the Gabelli Media & Entertainment Symposium webcast, Packer emphasized the importance of intellectual property for the company, drawing parallels to their Hunger Games franchise.
“It’s clear it’s going to be an IP-focused company. It’s going to produce, distribute, film and TV. We’ve taken that franchise and it doesn’t map to Harry Potter, but from a financial standpoint and an IP standpoint, it’s as important to us as Harry Potter is to Warner Bros.”
Packer’s comments have sparked mixed reactions online. While many are eager to see an unbiased portrayal of Michael Jackson’s life, others are skeptical of Packer’s claims. Critics argue that surpassing the success of franchises like Rambo, Twilight, and John Wick is a tall order, especially given the changing landscape of the entertainment industry.
Final Words
As the anticipation builds, it remains to be seen if Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic will indeed be their biggest film yet. With production finally underway and a release date set, fans and critics alike are watching closely to see if this bold prediction will come true.
