George Michael’s Family Denies Theo James to Play Wham! Icon

The family of George Michael denied reports that “White Lotus” star Theo James, also of Greek descent, will portray Wham! frontman in a potential biopic.

“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,” a statement from Michael’s estate, posted to his website on Monday, reads.

“On behalf of George’s family and GME we want to make it clear that there is no truth whatsoever in this story, [and] we know nothing about this project and will not be endorsing it in any way,” the statement reads.

Theo James on George Michael: “He’s a lot of Greek, and I’m a lot of Greek”

Theo James appeared on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen last week, where he talked about his and Michael’s Greek heritage when asked by a viewer about the possibility of taking on a role.

“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.” James’s full name is Theodore Peter James Kinnaird Taptiklis.

The Daily Mail had reported earlier that a new “big-budget” biopic about the pop star was in the works with James in talks for the lead and with the support of Michael’s estate.

The British newspaper is the most recent publication to report on a Michael biopic. Back in 2021, The Sun’s Simon Boyle reported that Michael’s estate was “keen to move ahead” with a film on his life, but disputes between relatives and friends on the narrative the project would follow led to an indefinite hold.

George Michael was a pop icon

George Michael, who died in 2016, has had his life story told on film before.

The 2017 documentary George Michael: Freedom featured narration from Michael recorded shortly before his death. Collaborators, admirers, and friends such as Naomi Campbell, Elton John, and Liam Gallagher, also contributed. The film was re-released with new footage last June as George Michael: Freedom Uncut.

Michael, whose full name was Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, is considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the MTV generation and is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with sales of over 120 million records worldwide.

He achieved seven number-one songs on the UK Singles Chart and eight number-one songs on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Michael won numerous music awards, including two Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, three American Music Awards, twelve Billboard Music Awards, and four MTV Video Music Awards. In 2015, he was ranked 45th in Billboard’s list of the “Greatest Hot 100 Artists of All Time.”