One of the most amusing scenes in Antoine Fuqua’s Michael was when Michael Jackson brings home a baby chimp as a pet. Bubbles, as he names the chimp, shocks the superstar’s family and the theatre audience alike. But did you know that all of that is indeed true?
About Bubbles the chimp
Bubbles was born in 1983, when Michael brought him home. He lived a starry-starry early life with Michael, accompanying him on interviews, starring in his music videos and movies and even going on tour with him to Japan. But now, Bubbles in 43 years old, and now lives with his other chimp friends at the Centre For Great Apes.
The official website for the sanctuary says that they got Bubbles in 2005 when he grew too big and unfit to be surrounded by humans. “Now a 185-pound adult male, Bubbles is a calm and artistic presence at the sanctuary. He’s the respected leader of his chimpanzee group, which includes his closest friends Oopsie, Boma, Kodua, and Stryker. Though shy and private, Bubbles is also playful. He’s been known for gently teasing visitors with a splash of water or a sprinkle of sand, just for fun,” the info read.
It adds that Bubbles is quite creative and loves to paint. He, however, hates being photographed.
His care at the centre is supported by Michael Jackson’s Estate.
About Michael
Michael, a biopic on the career of global pop icon Michael Jackson, is poised to top the box office this weekend despite weak reviews. Distributed by Lionsgate Studios, the film is projected to earn at least $65 million across the US and Canada, according to Boxoffice Pro. With international distribution handled by Universal Pictures, total global earnings could exceed twice that figure.
If the film succeeds commercially, Lionsgate is considering a sequel slated for late 2027, said studio chairman Adam Fogelson. He noted that the current film only scratches the surface of Jackson’s life and career. “There’s much more story to tell, and the audience will determine the demand,” Fogelson said, adding that several key moments and much of Jackson’s music catalog remain unexplored.
The film features high-energy dance sequences and a standout performance by Jaafar Jackson, Jackson’s real-life nephew, in the lead role. It is directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by John Branca and Graham King. The project marks a return to the musical biopic genre for King, whose Bohemian Rhapsody — based on Queen frontman Freddie Mercury — grossed over $900 million globally.
Michael charts Jackson’s journey from his childhood in Gary, Indiana, to early fame with the Jackson 5. The narrative also explores his strained relationship with his father and manager Joseph Jackson, portrayed by Colman Domingo. The film concludes with a performance from the 1988 Bad tour in London, ending with an epilogue that reads: “his story continues.”