| Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Biopic |
| Based on | Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days by Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard |
| Written by | Elizabeth Hunter |
| Directed by | Dianne Houston |
| Starring | Navi Chad L. Coleman Sam Adegoke Aiden Hanlon Smith Taegen Burns |
| Composer | Zach Ryan |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Suzanne De Passe |
| Producers | Kyle A. Clerk Lina Wong |
| Cinematography | Tommy Maddox-Upshaw |
| Editor | Craig Hayes |
| Production companies | Lifetime Silver Screen Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | Lifetime |
| Release | May 30, 2017 |
Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland is an American biographical television film based on the 2014 book, Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days, written by Jackson's personal bodyguards Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard. The film dramatizes Jackson in the final years of his life.[1][2]
Synopsis
The film is told from the point of view of one of Michael Jackson's bodyguards Bill Whitfield (portrayed by Chad Coleman). It begins in December 2006 when Jackson returns from Bahrain and is now living in a Las Vegas mansion. He doesn't want to return to Neverland after the police raid from years earlier and instead plans to purchase a multi-million-dollar estate in Las Vegas he called “Wonderland.”[3] With Jackson in serious debt, he agrees to do a residency just like Celine Dion. Bill Whitfield says, "He [Jackson] hadn't worked in years. He spent tons of money on lawsuits, legal fees, shopping, and family. Money was his issue." The two bodyguards haven't been paid in months. Shortly before signing with AEG for his residency in London, Jackson hires Nation of Islam bodyguards for his protection. He then begins rehearsing in Los Angeles for his London residency.
Cast
- Navi as Michael Jackson
- Chad L. Coleman as Bill Whitfield, Jackson's head of security
- Sam Adegoke as Javon Beard, Jackson's second bodyguard
- Aidan Hanlon Smith as Prince Jackson, Jackson's eldest son
- Taegen Burns as Paris Jackson, Jackson's middle daughter
- Michael Mourra as Blanket Jackson, Jackson's youngest son
- Richard Lawson as Joe Jackson, Jackson's father and Prince
- Starletta DuPois as Katherine Jackson, Jackson's mother
- Kristofer Gordon as Randy Jackson, Jackson's younger brother
- Isabella Hofmann as Green, Randy's, somewhat, girlfriend (who was present with Randy at the incident on the night of Elizabeth Taylor's birthday).
- Nondumiso Temble as Grace Rwaramba, Jackson's nanny
- Ken Colquitt as Conrad Murray, the doctor who looked after Jackson's daughter (and later "killed" him in 2009)
- Holly Robinson Peete as Raymone Bain, Virginia hotel manager
Development
On January 13, 2017, Lifetime announced that it had ordered a television biopic of Michael Jackson, which would be based on the book Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days. Production was scheduled to begin in February in Los Angeles.[4]
Reception
On its premiere airing, the film was watched by 2 million viewers.[5]
References
- ↑ Kreps, Daniel (May 15, 2017). "Watch First Trailer for Lifetime's Michael Jackson Biopic 'Searching for Neverland'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ↑ Sands, Nicole (April 28, 2017). "Watch the King of Pop Teach His Kids to Dance in New Clip for Lifetime Biopic Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland". People. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ↑ "Michael Jackson planned to buy 'Wonderland' estate in Vegas". 15 October 2009.
- ↑ Stanhope, Kate (January 13, 2017). "Michael Jackson Film Ordered at Lifetime". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (May 30, 2017). "'Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland' Draws 2 Million Viewers In Live+SD". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
External links
