In the summer of 2001, Michael Jackson set out to make something far bigger than a music video. He shot a thirteen-minute short film for “You Rock My World,” the first single from his album “Invincible.” It was filmed over about a week in August and directed by Paul Hunter.
Michael loved stacking his videos with real movie stars, and this one was packed. The comedian Chris Tucker played his sidekick. Tough-guy actors Michael Madsen and Billy Drago showed up as gangsters. It had the feel of a proper little mob movie.
But Michael wanted one more name at the top. He wanted a true Hollywood legend to play the big boss, the head of the whole operation.
His first choice reportedly said no.
According to a report in the New York Daily News at the time, the first star Michael approached “didn’t give it a lot of thought” before passing on the role. That star was reportedly Robert De Niro, one of the most respected actors alive.
So Michael went after someone even more legendary. And this time the answer was yes.
The man who took the part was Marlon Brando, the star of “The Godfather” and one of the greatest actors who ever lived. By the time he filmed his scene for Michael, Brando was 77 years old. He was reportedly paid around $1 million for the appearance, out of a video budget that ran as high as $4 million.
Spot the legend in Michael’s mini mob movie
Watch the short film and keep your eyes peeled for the big boss. That’s Brando, decades after he first became a household name, lending his weight to a Michael Jackson video.
If the name “Marlon Brando” doesn’t ring a bell right away, one film will fix that in a hurry.
The role that made Brando a legend in the first place
Here’s a trailer for “The Godfather,” the movie that sealed Brando’s place in history. Watch this and you’ll understand exactly why Michael wanted him, and why it was such a coup to land him.
Think about the pull Michael had. He could call up the man who played the most famous movie boss of all time and get him to clear his schedule for a music video.
Two titans from two different worlds, sharing one short film. All you have to do is press play and find Brando in the crowd.