Michael: Why Shooting “Bad” First Was So Risky | Collider BTS

Antoine Fuqua and Graham King discuss the immense responsibility behind making Michael, the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, and why every detail—from performances to costumes—had to be exactly right. In this exclusive Michael behind-the-scenes interview, they share how Jafar Jackson rose to the challenge of portraying one of the most iconic performers of all time. The filmmakers explain how recreating Michael Jackson’s stage presence required relentless repetition, with Jafar performing complex routines over multiple days to capture the same energy each time. They also dive into the decision to begin filming with musical performances, helping ground the actor in Michael’s physicality before tackling the emotional scenes. Beyond the spectacle, Fuqua and King highlight the film’s deeper focus: revealing the person behind the legend. From nuanced portrayals of family relationships to Michael’s struggle for independence as an artist, the film aims to balance myth with humanity. With global fans watching closely, the team reflects on the pressure of honoring Michael Jackson’s legacy while crafting a cinematic story that resonates today. 0:00 Introduction – Antoine Fuqua & Graham King on Michael 0:32 Casting Jafar Jackson as Michael Jackson 1:18 Recreating “Bad” with Hundreds of Extras 2:05 Why Performances Were Shot First 2:48 The Challenge of Humanizing Michael 3:40 Family Dynamics & Joe Jackson Nuance 4:35 Getting the Details Exactly Right 5:20 Telling Michael’s Story in a Three-Act Structure Our Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/collider/ www.x.com/Collider Our Website https://www.collider.com Video By Michael Zimmermann & Joaquin Rodriguez Carvalho For copyright matters, please contact us at: [email protected] #michaelmovie #michaeljackson #collider