Upcoming Biopics from the Producers of 'Michael'

The hot new Hollywood trend: feel-good stories about feel-bad people.

Michael, the new Michael Jackson biopic from director Antoine Fuqua, is a hit, opening to $218 million worldwide. The film chronicles the King of Pop's rise from humble beginnings to global superstardom, but controversially ends its telling of Jackson’s story in 1988—several years before the first of many child sexual abuse allegations against him were made public.

The filmmakers opted instead to focus on what co-star Colman Domingo called “the makings of Michael.” And given the movie’s box office success, it will be no surprise if future biopics follow the same template. In fact, according to Hollywood sources, the producers of Michael are already pitching potential follow-up projects.

Becoming Diddy

Before he was Puff Daddy, before he was Diddy, he was just Sean: a kid from Harlem with a gift for spoken word poetry and an unshakeable belief that he was destined for something great. Becoming Diddy traces the improbable rise of Sean Combs from the streets of New York City through the devastating loss of his best friend, the Notorious B.I.G., to the founding of Bad Boy Records. Through it all, Sean never lost sight of what mattered most: the music, the people he loved, and hosting elegant, non-sexual dinner parties.

The Wizard of Wall Street

12-year-old Bernard grew up in hardscrabble Queens, dreaming of a different life—one built on hard work, loyalty, and the simple belief that anyone can make something of themselves in the good ol’ U.S. of A. There was just one problem: the rules. The Wizard of Wall Street is the inspiring true story of how Bernie Madoff learned to ignore “norms” and “statutes” in order to reach the top of the financial pyramid.

One Leg at a Time

He was just a college student who liked sandwiches. But when he lost enough weight that his entire body could fit inside a single leg of his old pants, something extraordinary happened: America fell in love. One Leg at a Time is the story of how one man's pants changed the fast-food industry and made him a hero to all. His name was Jared Fogle.

Family Man

Meet up-and-coming songwriter Charlie Manson. All he wants is a family. Growing up without roots and without anyone who truly understood him, young Charles dreamed of connection. Family Man is the story of how he finally found it. Set against the sun-scorched backdrop of late-1960s California, this is a film about what it means to find your people, build something together, and leave a mark on the world that will never, ever be forgotten. (What, exactly, that mark is will be saved for a sequel.)

Joey

It's hard being a sensitive boy. Especially in Germany. Joey Goebbels has a gift for language and a dream of becoming a writer. But the world isn't ready for him. Not yet. Then, at a rally in Munich, he meets a charismatic young politician with a vision for his country and no one to help him share it. Joey is the story of an unlikely friendship, a nation transformed, and one sensitive boy who invents modern propaganda. Dreams really can change the world.

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