Michael Jackson will have his biographical film directed by Antoine Fuqua

“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music is a deep part of who I am,” Fuqua said in a statement. “PTo me, there is no artist with the power, charisma and sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson.. I was influenced to make music videos by seeing his work: the first black artist to play on MTV. His music and those images are part of my world view, and the opportunity to tell his story on screen along with his music was irresistible.”

Jackson, who won 13 Grammy Awards and rose to child stardom in the Jackson 5 to become the biggest pop star in the world, he died in 2009 at age 50.

According to lionsgatethe film will address all aspects of Jackson’s life, though it’s unclear how the film will address the many controversies involving the late music icon, given that the film is being made in conjunction with his estate, which has defended him from accusations of sexually abusing children, recounted in the documentary by HBO, leaving neverland.

lionsgate will handle US distribution and seek an international partner for the feature. Musical biopics have proven lucrative in recent years, with Bohemian Rhapsody before the pandemic earning $910 million globally, and Elvis it managed to attract larger audiences to theaters and gross $287.3 million worldwide last year. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody December was less lucky, grossing $49.2 million worldwide.

Fuqua led for the last time emancipation of Will Smith and is filming The Equalizer 3 with Denzel Washington. His long career has also included Training Daywhich earned Washington an Oscar.

King, who is also developing a biopic of bee geespreviously produced the best picture winner Departed and the success of Netflix of Sandra Bullock The Unforgivable.