Michael Jackson biopic may be in the works thanks to good friend Brett Ratner, 'Tower Heist' director
'Tower Heist' filmer talks with longtime Jackson aide and author Frank Cascio
Michael Jackson and his silver glove may be coming to the silver screen, courtesy of Brett Ratner, who was a pal.
A Hollywood insider tells us the “Tower Heist” director and producer, who was a good friend of the King of Pop, is interested in making a movie that would show “the real” Jackson.
According to the source, the filmmaker recently met with another friend of the Gloved One, Frank Cascio, author of “My Friend Michael.” The book, according to its jacket, “refutes the rumors, lies and accusations that have accumulated over the years” and yet provides a “candid” look at the late pop star, who died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication in 2009.
According to his account, Cascio met Jackson in 1984 and later became his assistant and eventually manager.
Cascio’s firsthand account of his relationship with Jackson chronicles Jackson’s journey through some dark times, including child molestation charges and prescription drug use.
According to another source close to Ratner, a Jackson movie has “been an idea of Brett’s for a while” and “is taking shape.”
The source also notes that it’s understandable Ratner would want to do “a project” on Jackson, given “their close friendship.”
Jackson “was the most inspirational person in my life,” Ratner told the Los Angeles Times after his death in June 2009. “When you were with him, you really felt like God was within him.”
Ratner, 42, has often recounted playing pranks on bystanders with the artist, watching movies together and dancing at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.
Although Ratner never directed one of Jackson’s music videos, the pair spent plenty of time together during Jackson’s career. They worked together on a rebuttal video to Martin Bashir’s in-depth, headline-making interview with Jackson that ran on ABC in 2003.
Cascio wrote in “My Friend Michael,” published by William Morrow in November, that Jackson and his fans felt the Bashir profile was “unfair.”
Cascio also noted that he met Ratner through Jackson when Ratner helped the King of Pop respond to the Bashir report, which was titled “Living With Michael Jackson.”
Cascio explains that he helped Ratner “put together a long version of the rebuttal” at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. The film was called “Michael Jackson’s Private Home Movies.”
“Every now and then, Brett would bring some beautiful women to visit, which kept things interesting,” writes Cascio, who we hear is also dating a beautiful woman, former “Amazing Race” contestant and Ryan Seacrest ex Shana Wall.
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