Diana Ross will no longer appear in “Michael” due to “certain legal considerations,” according to Kat Graham, who was hired to play the legendary Supremes singer in the upcoming music biopic about Michael Jackson.
“Ahead of the April 24 release of the Michael Jackson film, I want to share that certain legal considerations affected a few scenes, including the ones I filmed with an incredible cast,” Graham posted Thursday morning on social media. “Unfortunately, those moments are no longer part of the final cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.”
“Michael” underwent major reshoots after the third act of the film was deemed unusable. The initial screenplay had recounted a 1993 lawsuit that accused Jackson of child sexual abuse, which he denied. After the movie was shot, producers discovered a clause in the settlement with the young accuser that barred the depiction or mention of him in film or television. Although Graham didn’t specify, her part in the film was likely axed due to these creative changes. Janet Jackson, the performer’s famous sister, is not a character in the movie, either.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, “Michael” focuses on the singer’s early years including his relationship with his domineering father, Joe Jackson, who doesn’t want his son’s solo career to come at the expense of the Jackson 5. Jaafar Jackson, the real-life nephew of Michael Jackson, is portraying the King of Pop in the film, with Colman Domingo and Nia Long playing his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. The cast also includes Miles Teller as manager John Branca; Laura Harrier as Suzanne De Passe, a creative assistant to Motown founder Berry Gordy; Kendrick Sampson as producer Quincy Jones; and Larenz Tate as Gordy.
“Michael” is poised to electrify the box office over the weekend, with estimates of at least $70 million domestically and $150 million globally in its debut. Those ticket sales would rank as the largest opening ever for a musical biopic, as well as the biggest hit for Lionsgate in more than a decade.
variety.com
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