5 Movies Michael Jackson Almost Starred In
There's no denying Michael Jackson was a once-in-a-generation musical genius and the blueprint for modern pop stardom as we know it. But beyond his hit records and sold-out shows, Jackson genuinely wanted to star in movies and disappear into a role in the same way he transformed himself on stage. He even studied acting with Marlon Brando, which says a lot about how seriously he took it.
Jackson's fascination with film has always been obvious, as his music videos are basically tiny cinematic marvels. Thriller redefined what a short-form music video could be. Jackson built an entire world with costumes and lore in Remember the Time. And Smooth Criminal feels like a stylized gangster short film that just happens to include one of the coolest dance sequences that ever existed.
They were mini-movies, really. So it makes sense that Jackson eventually set his sights on Hollywood in a bigger way. With the biopic, Michael, bringing Jackson's story back into focus, now feels like the right time to look at the blockbuster roles he dreamed of landing. These films can be found on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+.
Edward Scissorhands follows Edward (Johnny Depp), an artificial man with scissors for hands. He was created by an inventor who died before completing him and is eventually taken in by a kind suburban mother, Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest). Edward quickly forms a bond with her daughter, Kim (Winona Ryder). But despite his gentle nature, Edward's differences make him an easy target for fear and suspicion.
Jackson's interest in the role of Edward Scissorhands was far from casual. He actively pursued it, clearly connecting with Edward's outsider status. But director Tim Burton never responded to his requests for a meeting. Although Jackson could've brought a very real emotional vulnerability to Edward's fragility, Depp is pretty iconic in the role. It's ideal for fans of offbeat stories like The Shape of Water (2017).
Hook tells the story of a work-obsessed man named Peter Banning (Robin Williams) who has forgotten that he was once Peter Pan. When Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) kidnaps his children, he has no choice but to return to Neverland and confront the life he left behind. With the help of Tinker Bell (Julia Roberts), Peter eventually remembers his younger self and teams up with the Lost Boys to save his kids.
Jackson was deeply invested in playing Peter Pan, which isn't surprising given how closely the character aligns with his whole "never grow up" philosophy. But the film's direction, which focused on an older, disillusioned Peter, didn't match the more whimsical version he had in mind. Hook is an excellent choice for nostalgic fantasy fans who enjoy movies like 2004's Finding Neverland.
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace follows Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) who are sent to protect Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) from a political threat. When the trio becomes stranded on Tatooine, they find a young boy named Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), who may be the key to balancing the Force.
Jackson wanted to play Jar Jar Binks, a clumsy but loyal Gungan, but not as a CGI character. The singer wanted a full physical performance with prosthetics and makeup, similar to what he did in Thriller. However, director George Lucas was committed to CGI, so that version never happened. Ahmed Best was hired to provide motion capture data and eventually voiced the character too.
Blade II follows the titular half-vampire warrior (Wesley Snipes), who is forced to team up with a group of elite vampires to combat a new, more dangerous breed of enemy. As tensions rise between the uneasy allies, trust starts to become increasingly fragile. The mission also pushes Blade into darker and more violent territory.
Jackson, who was a fan of the original film, pitched himself for a role in the sequel. The singer reached out to Snipes, who starred in his Bad music video, saying he wanted to play a tough, action-oriented ally to Blade. But for reasons unknown, Jackson did not appear in the film. Still, Blade II is a great pick for action-horror fans who enjoy movies like Underworld (2003).
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory follows Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore), who wins a trip to a chocolate factory owned by eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp). During the tour, Wonka tests Charlie and four other kids in bizarre and chaotic ways as he secretly searches for an heir to his chocolate empire. Jackson really wanted to play Willy Wonka.
To improve his chances of landing the part, Jackson recorded an entire soundtrack for the film. But once again, director Tim Burton went with Johnny Depp instead. Warner Bros. reportedly loved the soundtrack and offered the singer a cameo in the film to acquire the songs. But a very disappointed Jackson refused. The movie is for fans of quirky fantasy like 2010's Alice in Wonderland.
