Michael Jackson’s Halloween, a new one-hour animated adventure with Michael Jackson’s acclaimed music as its soundtrack, will be broadcast for the first time this fall on the CBS Television Network. Created and produced by Optimum Productions, theMichael Jacksoncompany now owned by his estate, the special will feature the voices of actors Christine Baranski, Kiersey Clemons, Alan Cumming, George Eads, Brad Garrett, Lucy Liu, Jim Parsons and Lucas Till. CBS has also released the first photo from this special, which you may take a look at below.
The special follows millennials Vincent (Lucas Till) and Victoria (Kiersey Clemons), who meet “accidentally” on Halloween night and find themselves, along with Ichabod the dog, at a mysterious hotel located at 777 Jackson Street called This Place Hotel. Once inside, Vincent and Victoria are sent on an unexpected, magical adventure of personal discovery, culminating in a spectacular dance finale featuring an animated Michael Jackson. No details were given regarding the characters voiced by Christine Baranski, Alan Cumming, George Eads, Brad Garrett, Lucy Liu and Jim Parsons. Interestingly enough, though, all of these voice actors either have or had a connection with CBS in the past.
Both Lucas Till and George Eads currently star on CBS’MacGyver, which returns for its second season this fall, while both Christine Baranski and Alan Cumming starred on the hit drama seriesThe Good Wife. Christine Baranski also stars onThe Good Wifespin-offThe Good Fight, which airs on the CBS streaming service CBS All Access, and Alan Cumming stars in the network’s new seriesInstinct, debuting in midseason. Jim Parsons stars on theCBSsitcom juggernautThe Big Bang Theory, and he also executive produces and serves as the narrator for the network’s upcomingBig Bang Theory spin-offentitledYoung Sheldon, which debuts this fall on CBS. Lucy Liu stars on CBS' hit drama seriesElementary, returning for its sixth season in midseason, and while Kiersey Clemons doesn’t currently star on a CBS series, she did portray Lucy on the second season of CBS’Extantin 2015.
It isn’t known if there will be a voice actor coming aboard who will actually voice Michael Jackson, or if the special will only use the iconic music from the King of Pop’s celebrated library. Regardless, thisanimated specialwill give fans young and old alike a new chance to celebrate Michael Jackson’s music once again, in a whole new way. CBS has not announced an official release date at this time, but given the title, it will most likely debut in mid or late October, close to the Halloween holiday. Hopefully we’ll get more details onMichael Jackson’s Halloween, or the first trailer, sooner rather than later.
Michael Jackson’s Halloweenwas created and produced by Optimum Productions, with animation production by Hammerhead. John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of theEstate of Michael Jackson, serve as executive producers. Daniel Chuba is the producer and Mark A.Z. Dippé is the director. Mark A.Z. Dippe is best known for directing the 1997 comic book adaptationSpawn, and he also worked as a visual effects supervisor on blockbusters such asTerminator 2: Judgment Day,Jurassic Park,Rising Sun,The Flintstones,Paranormal Activity 2andParanormal Activity 3. Take a look at this first image fromMichael Jackson’s Halloween.
