Lifetime Announces Michael Jackson Movie

Michael Jackson lives on.

The pop icon will be the subject of a new Lifetime movie with the working title Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland.

Renowned Jackson tribute artist Navi will star as the King of Pop. Meanwhile, actor Chad L. Coleman, famous for his work on “The Wire” and “The Walking Dead,” will play Bill Whitefield, one of MJ’s former bodyguards.

Searching for Neverland is based on Whitefield’s book Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in his Final Days. The movie’s script was penned by Dianne Houston, who recently wrote Surviving Compton, and Suzanne de Passe will act as the film’s executive producer. In the past, De Passe worked on The Jacksons: An American Dream and was a creative assistant for Berry Gordy during the Jackson 5 era.

Production is set to begin next month in L.A.

Earlier today, the U.K.’s Sky channel nixed its upcoming “Urban Myths” episode that was set to feature MJ, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marlon Brando. The cancelation comes after critics, including Jackson’s daughter Paris, bashed actor Joseph Fiennes’ portrayal of the Thriller icon in the movie’s trailer.

“i’m so incredibly offended by it, as i’m sure plenty of people are as well,” tweeted Paris. “it honestly makes me want to vomit.”

https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/819310838708256769

Following the cancelation, Paris offered her gratitude. “i’m surprised the family’s feelings were actually taken into consideration for once,” she wrote. “we all really do appreciate it more than y’all know.”

https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/820006686916083712