He was one of the brightest stars of the 1980s as one half of Wham!, and went on to enjoy an extraordinarily successful solo career with hits like Faith, Fastlove and Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.
But plans for a biopic on the life and career of George Michael are reportedly in disarray, amid a string of rows between those closest to the late star.
According to The Sun, the Freedom! ’90 hitmaker’s estate was keen to move ahead with a movie, following the success of films about Elton John and Queen, and had been in ongoing discussions with screenwriters regarding the project.
However, plans for the film proved to be “challenging” following disagreements among his relatives and closest friends over the narrative of the biopic.
Sources reveal George’s surviving relatives – including sister Yioda, the executor of his estate, and dad Kyriacos – are keen to gloss over his scandals, including scandals including drug-driving and sexual liaisons with strangers.
Meanwhile others, including George’s long-time colleagues, close friends and ex-boyfriend Kenny Goss, are at odds over the direction of the script.
“It’s one of those things that sounded brilliant to everyone initially but has quickly proved more difficult to bring to fruition than anyone had hoped,” insiders reveal
“There are a lot of conflicting views, and some really complicated legal wrangles too between the estate and some of those involved in his life — which have become a headache.
“As a result, it feels as though it might have to be shelved for now, or at least put on the back burner.”
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They add: “His family are desperate to protect George’s memory and they’d love a film that really celebrated all of his talent, but that might not be possible without the darker aspects of his life or without causing a whole load of new problems.”
“It could just become a never-ending legal and PR disaster.”
Singer Adam Lambert, who now performs as lead vocalist alongside the surviving members of Queen, was among the names touted to front the flick, with the star recently admitting he would be keen to explore the singer’s life if he was offered the part.
“I think that would be very interesting,” he told Metro UK.
“That’d be cool, I just feel like, we don’t know that much about him. You know, to me, it would be great to kind of explore George’s life.”
