As the Hollywood Reporter reports, Jackson actually came to the producers of the first “X-Men” film with a pitch. The story reads as bizarre as the exceptional musician himself was. In spring 1999 he came to the filmmaker’s office wearing sunglasses. He refused to shake hands. “I said to him: ‘You know that Xavier is an older, white man.’ And Michael replied, ‘Oh yes, sure, I can Make-Up wear, “recalls the producer Lauren Shuler Donner.
Then a presentation of the short film “Ghosts“- a sad attempt to repeat the success of” Thriller “. In it, ‘Jacko’ transforms into one thanks to make-up and prostheses white middle-aged teacher. It should convince the producers – to no avail. Scriptwriter David Hayter also recalls: “I was involved in the casting and was there when some people auditioned, such as Terence Stamp for Xavier and Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey for Storm. Michael Jackson also came because he was Professor X wanted to play. “
Finally the role went to Sir Patrick Stewart. Jackson became anyway never seriously considered. “There were already a number of allegations against Michael at the time,” says another producer.
Years ago, Jackson is said to have tried to apply film rights to “Spider-Man“to buy and then play the superhero in a movie himself. Stan Lee himself had confirmed this. But a deal never came about – probably luckily.
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