During a Hall H panel at Comic-Con on Friday, directors Antoine Fuqua and Roland Emmerich discussed everything from an “overbearing” James Cameron to Fuqua’s upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael and more.
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Emmerich didn’t mince words when asked about competing with Cameron for years to get a remake of the classic 1966 sci-fi film Fantastic Voyage off the ground.
“It was a little bit like, James Cameron is very overbearing, and so I at one point just gave up,” said the director. “Because it’s like, is it your movie or my movie? And that’s what happened.”
Emmerich shared that his take on Fantastic Voyage was only in the “very beginning stages” when he finally decided to give up on it. “Because I said, ‘Gosh, why is he so overbearing?'” said the filmmaker. “Look, I’m going to have to say, I do my stuff, and when I cannot do my stuff, I’m like totally not interested. It’s as simple as that. So when someone else wants to say something to me and is more powerful to me, I drop out.”
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When asked why he got involved with the MJ biopic for Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International, Fuqua shared matter-of-factly, “Why I wanted to make it is Michael. I’m in the early stages of editing the film right now. We just wrapped on May 30.”
Fuqua shared that he’s “very excited about it — very, very happy about what we got in the can.” While he didn’t want to say too much about the film at this stage, he went on to add that “Michael was a big part of my life growing up, a huge influence. But he was a human being, and we’re exploring it.”
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Winning an Academy Award for its groundbreaking visual effects, the original Fantastic Voyage followed a team of scientists who are miniaturized and injected into the body of a scientist to perform life-saving surgery from within. Richard Fleischer directed from a script by Harry Kleiner, with Saul David producing. Stephen Boyd and Raquel Welch were among its stars.
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While Cameron’s Fantastic Voyage hasn’t been made to this point, the Avatar filmmaker shared while speaking at a Paris masterclass in April that he does intend to see the film made. “We’ve been developing it for a number of years, and we plan to go ahead with it very soon,” he teased. “Raquel Welch is not available, but we think we can make a pretty good movie.”
Fuqua’s Michael promises to bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop. The film will examine Jackson’s triumphs and tragedies — from his human side, to his public and private struggles, to the accusations and the 24/7 media microscope Jackson lived under, even at his artistic apex. Pic will also capture Michael’s undeniable creative genius, recreating his most memorable, iconic performances.
Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson leads the ensemble as Michael, with Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, and Juliano Krue Valdi among others to appear in key roles. Fuqua is directing from a script by John Logan, with Graham King/GK Films producing. The film is slated for release on April 18, 2025.
Fuqua and Emmerich’s appearance today at Comic-Con came as part of Collider’s Directors on Directing panel.
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