Kat Graham, who has been cast to play the legendary Supremes singer in Michael Jackson’s upcoming music biopic, says Diana Ross will no longer appear in the role due to “certain legal considerations.”
“Ahead of the April 24th release of the Michael Jackson movie, I would like to share that certain legal considerations influenced several scenes, including one shot with our amazing cast,” Graham posted on social media Thursday morning. “Unfortunately, those moments were not included in the final cut, but the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.”
“Michael” underwent extensive reshoots after the third act of the film was deemed unusable. The original script detailed a 1993 lawsuit accusing Jackson of child sexual abuse, which Jackson denied. After filming the film, producers discovered that the terms of the settlement with the young accuser included a clause that prohibited them from being portrayed or mentioned in film or television. Although Graham did not specify, these creative changes likely resulted in her role in the film being reduced. Janet Jackson, the actor’s famous sister, is also not a character in the film.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, “Michael” focuses on the singer’s early years, including his relationship with his domineering father, Joe Jackson, who was unwilling to sacrifice his son’s solo career at the expense of the Jackson 5. Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, plays 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 plays Suzanne de Passe, Motown founder Berry Gordy’s creative assistant. Kendrick Sampson plays producer Quincy Jones. And Larenz Tate plays Gordy.
“Michael” is poised to wow the weekend box office, with its first opening box office gross estimated at at least $70 million domestically and $150 million worldwide. These ticket sales will be the biggest opening ever for a musical biopic and Lionsgate’s biggest hit in more than a decade.
