George Michael's estate has quashed reports that they have endorsed a biopic about the late Wham! singer's life with The White Lotus star Theo James in the leading role.
Over the weekend (January 14), British tabloid The Daily Mail reported that James would play Michael in a film "endorsed by the singer's family after the success of biopics about Elton John and Queen's Freddie Mercury" that they claimed to be "in the final stages of development according to insiders."
The publication quotes a source who claims, "The script is in the final stages and producers are looking for their leading man. Theo's name is the one on everyone's lips. He would be perfect for the part. This is George's story, warts and all."
In response to The Mail's story and wider reportage, Michael's family shared in a statement via his website, "To all of George's Lovelies, fans and lovers of his music, a story has been published stating that George Michael's family has endorsed a so called 'biopic' about his life. On behalf of George's family and GME we want to make it clear that there is no truth whatsoever in this story, we know nothing about this project and will not be endorsing it in any way."
James himself was asked about the possibility of playing Michael during an appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen last week (January 12), and mentioned their shared heritage. "Oh yeah, I would love that," James said. "He's a lot of Greek, and I'm a lot of Greek. Put that Greek together, and you get falafel."
Read Exclaim!'s review of The White Lotus Season 2. Last March, Michael's estate took issue with Tory Lanez's interpolation of one of the late artist's solo classics.
Over the weekend (January 14), British tabloid The Daily Mail reported that James would play Michael in a film "endorsed by the singer's family after the success of biopics about Elton John and Queen's Freddie Mercury" that they claimed to be "in the final stages of development according to insiders."
The publication quotes a source who claims, "The script is in the final stages and producers are looking for their leading man. Theo's name is the one on everyone's lips. He would be perfect for the part. This is George's story, warts and all."
In response to The Mail's story and wider reportage, Michael's family shared in a statement via his website, "To all of George's Lovelies, fans and lovers of his music, a story has been published stating that George Michael's family has endorsed a so called 'biopic' about his life. On behalf of George's family and GME we want to make it clear that there is no truth whatsoever in this story, we know nothing about this project and will not be endorsing it in any way."
James himself was asked about the possibility of playing Michael during an appearance on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen last week (January 12), and mentioned their shared heritage. "Oh yeah, I would love that," James said. "He's a lot of Greek, and I'm a lot of Greek. Put that Greek together, and you get falafel."
Read Exclaim!'s review of The White Lotus Season 2. Last March, Michael's estate took issue with Tory Lanez's interpolation of one of the late artist's solo classics.
