Imagine a unique film: a stop-motion animated feature directed by the filmmaker behind ‘Jojo Rabbit’ and ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, telling the story of Bubbles, the most famous chimpanzee in pop culture — Michael Jackson’s pet. It was an intriguing and unconventional project that caught Hollywood’s attention but, unfortunately, never saw the light of day.
A Promising Script and a Star Director
At the heart of the story was a brilliant script that had already earned recognition. In 2015, it topped the ‘Black List’ — the annual ranking of the best unproduced Hollywood screenplays. This was a mark of quality, signaling something truly special.
In February 2017, Taika Waititi, one of the most in-demand and original directors of our time, joined the project alongside co-director Mark Gustafson and Starburns Industries. Interest in this unusual chimpanzee biopic was so high that in May of the same year, Netflix bought the rights at the Cannes Film Festival, reportedly for an impressive $20 million.
Waititi positioned the film as a unique vision that would present the chimpanzee’s fascinating journey through the complex jungle of human life, rather than focusing directly on Michael Jackson. The project promised to offer a touching and distinctive perspective on fame and the world through the eyes of an animal.
A Missed Opportunity
Bubbles was a passion project for Waititi, who called it “a brilliant script” and planned to work on it between his other commitments. However, in a 2019 interview, the director hinted at looming problems. At the height of his career, balancing the completion of Jojo Rabbit, other films, and several TV shows, he acknowledged that his schedule forced him to abandon certain opportunities.
This decision set off a domino effect. Netflix, whose main interest in the project was tied largely to Waititi’s involvement, also backed out. Without his unique vision and name recognition, the project seemed to lose its driving force. The story of Bubbles remains a classic Hollywood “what if.”
