Michael has now surpassed $897 million at the global box office, making it the second-highest-grossing music biopic of all time. However, the overlooked figure is the time invested behind the scenes to create the visuals that captivated audiences.
A Complete Behind-the-Scenes Look
Costume designer Marci Rodgers did not create new outfits from scratch. She delved into Michael Jackson’s actual clothing archive, meticulously reconstructing each iconic look based on documented photographs.
Every jacket, glove, and stage costume worn by Jaafar Jackson in the film is a direct representation of what Michael actually wore — a faithful reconstruction rather than a mere reimagining.
Rodgers aimed to portray Michael as a person, not just as a performer.
Makeup and hair designer Bill Corso shared this vision for the Thriller scene. He instructed his team to avoid modern techniques, including silicone or airbrushing. Instead, they utilized foam rubber appliances and greasepaint, just as Rick Baker did in 1983, to capture an authentic look.
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Images of the Biopic’s Creation
Jaafar’s transformation was meticulously tracked throughout filming, adjusting features like eyebrows, skin tone, nose, chin, and hair to reflect Michael’s appearance over two decades.
Photographer Kevin Mazur, who captured years of the real Michael Jackson, noted that stepping onto the set felt like stepping back in time.
THE FILM UNDERWENT 22 DAYS OF ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY, THE BUDGET GREW TO OVER $200 MILLION, AND YEARS OF NEGOTIATION WITH THE JACKSON ESTATE FOR MUSIC RIGHTS.
The result was a recreation so precise that most audiences never paused to question how it was achieved. And that was the entire intention!
