If biopics had a moonwalk, Michael would already be gliding past the competition with sequined confidence. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film casts Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, recreating milestones like Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, the Bad Tour while examining the pressure cooker behind 'Thriller', the rise from Jackson 5 fame and the beginning of Jackson's musical empire. 

Speaking of empires, John Branca arrives in Michael via Miles Teller, though his legacy hardly requires a movie ticket for it to unfold. 

John Branca is a leading American entertainment attorney and partner at Ziffren Brittenham LLP, known for structuring some of the most lucrative deals in music history. Over four decades, he has represented major acts including The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, The Doors, and Dr. Dre. His specialty lies in music publishing rights, catalog acquisitions, and large-scale corporate negotiations that redefine ownership.

Branca began representing Michael Jackson in 1980, during Jackson’s shift from Jackson 5 member to solo artist. He played a direct role in negotiating the release strategy and rights structure surrounding the 'Thriller' music video, helping turn it into a global commercial event rather than a standard promotional clip.

In 1985, Branca negotiated Jackson’s purchase of ATV Music for approximately $47.5 million, securing publishing rights to over 4,000 songs, including much of The Beatles catalog. This deal generated long-term licensing revenue through film, television, and advertising, fundamentally shifting how artists approached music ownership and catalog value.

After Jackson rehired Branca shortly before his death in 2009, Branca became Co-Executor of the estate and led its financial recovery. He oversaw projects such as Michael Jackson ONE with Cirque du Soleil and the Broadway production MJ the Musical, both generating substantial revenue streams. In simple terms, he is the mind that converted Michael Jackson’s talent into worldwide domination.

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Being such a defining presence in Michael Jackson’s life, John Branca was always set for Michael, now moonwalking through $12.5 million in previews, and Branca’s enthusiasm seals the deal.

John Branca’s enthusiasm for Michael is not incidental; it is rooted in authorship as much as allegiance. As co-executor of the Michael Jackson Estate and a producer on the film, Branca has framed the project as a corrective narrative, designed to present Jackson’s perspective. He has also positioned it as a major commercial play, openly aiming for record-breaking box office success while maintaining strict creative standards alongside Antoine Fuqua and Graham King.

"Unless you understand that Michael’s innocent, we can't have you" was the words he said to those who were unsure about the project, according to his interview with the Financial times. That approach extends to key decisions such as endorsing Jaafar Jackson, whose casting Branca described as critical to the film’s credibility and emotional precision. The result is a project shaped as both tribute and strategy, with Branca ultimately stepping into the story himself through Miles Teller’s portrayal.

‘Michael’ Moonwalks Past $12.5M in Previews With Near-Perfect Audience Score

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