When you hear the phrase “10 things Michael,” you probably think of the King of Pop’s biggest hits, iconic dance moves, and legendary music videos. But the pop icon was also a dreamer with a laundry list of bold ideas that never materialized. From buying a famous skeleton to planning a giant robot, the following roundup reveals the ten near‑misses that would have added even more sparkle to Michael’s already dazzling legacy.
10 Things Michael: A Glimpse Into What Could Have Been
10 He Almost Bought The Skeleton Of The Elephant Man
For those who haven’t met the infamous Elephant Man, his real name was Joseph Carey Merrick, a man whose bone and skull growths gave him a strikingly unusual appearance. Born on August 5, 1862, Merrick lived a fairly ordinary childhood until the age of five, when strange growths began to surface on his body. To make ends meet, he eventually joined the ranks of travelling “freak shows,” displaying himself for a fee until a compassionate doctor rescued him and placed him in the London Hospital, where he remained until his death on April 11, 1890.
After his passing, Merrick’s skeleton was housed at the London Hospital Medical College. The macabre relic caught Michael’s curiosity; he visited the hospital twice solely to gaze at the bones. Inspired, he submitted a formal bid to purchase the skeleton, only to be rebuffed when the college insisted the remains were not for sale. Undeterred, Michael doubled his initial offer, proposing a staggering $1 million for the historic bones, yet the college held firm, leaving the King of Pop’s dream unfulfilled.
9 He Almost Bought Marvel Comics So He Could Play Spider‑Man
Michael’s fascination with the web‑slinging superhero was no secret. Rather than merely collecting the comics, he envisioned actually stepping into the role on the big screen. To that end, he hatched a plan to purchase Marvel Comics alongside legendary writer Stan Lee, hoping that ownership would give him a direct line to the film rights.
During a conversation with Lee, Michael expressed his desire to star as Spider‑Man, assuming Lee could smooth the path to the movie’s green light. Lee, however, clarified that the actual rights lay with Marvel itself, not with him. While it’s possible Michael only aimed to produce a Spider‑Man film without starring, Lee believes the King of Pop’s ultimate goal was to don the iconic costume himself.
8 He Almost Created A Giant Robot Version Of Himself
Before the ill‑fated world tour, Michael had already imagined an earlier spectacle in Las Vegas. The plan, conceived in October 2005, called for a colossal 15‑meter‑tall robot—about 50 feet—moonwalking across the Nevada desert. The towering doppelgänger would have been visible from McCarran International Airport, announcing the arrival of a Michael‑themed extravaganza to anyone flying in.
Sketches of the massive automaton were drawn, and Michael approved the designs. Unfortunately, the budget fell short, and the robot never left the drawing board. The concept was later scaled down to a smaller robot intended to guard the entrance of a Michael‑themed hotel and casino, but financial constraints again stalled the project, and the concert itself was eventually canceled.
7 He Almost Starred As Jar Jar Binks
Imagine a galaxy far, far away with Michael Jackson as the clumsy Gungan Jar Jar Binks. In reality, Michael was in contention for the role in *Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace*. The snag? Michael insisted on using prosthetic makeup and practical effects, whereas director George Lucas preferred a fully CGI character.
The part ultimately went to Ahmed Best, who embraced the digital approach without hesitation. Best later disclosed that he never realized Michael had been a contender until Lucas introduced him to the King of Pop as “Jar Jar” during a concert. The revelation sparked a backstage conversation that confirmed Michael’s brief flirtation with the role.
6 He Wanted The Lead Role In Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
When the 2005 adaptation of *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* entered pre‑production, Michael set his sights on the coveted role of Willy Wonka. Eager to prove his musical prowess, he quickly crafted a soundtrack and offered it to Warner Brothers in exchange for the starring part.
Warner Brothers loved the music but balked at the idea of Michael leading the film. They proposed that he could set any price for his soundtrack and be cast in a supporting role instead. Michael, however, was adamant: it had to be Wonka or nothing. The studio ultimately chose Johnny Depp, who later faced accusations of mimicking Michael’s mannerisms—claims he firmly denied.
5 He Almost Starred In Hook
Back in 1983, Steven Spielberg was developing a *Peter Pan* feature that originally envisioned Michael as the lead. The project, however, hit a snag when the film rights were transferred to Disney and entrepreneur Dodi Fayed, who promptly declared that Michael would not be part of the cast.
Fayed also pointed out that Michael’s fee request—over $10 million—exceeded the $20 million budget, and he was unwilling to allocate additional funds for a director. Displeased with the new adult‑Peter Pan premise—a lawyer who failed to recognize his own identity—Michael walked away. The role eventually landed with Robin Williams, and the movie emerged as *Hook* in 1991.
4 He Almost Went To The World Trade Center On 9/11
According to Michael’s older brother Jermaine, the King of Pop was booked for a meeting on the top floor of one of the World Trade Center towers on the fateful morning of September 11, 2001. A late‑night conversation with his mother kept Michael up well into the early hours, causing him to oversleep and miss the appointment.
When the tragic events unfolded, the family only realized how narrowly Michael had escaped death after his mother called to check on him. Michael confirmed he was fine, grateful for the unexpected extra hours of sleep that saved his life.
3 He Almost Built A Theme Park
Michael’s fascination with immersive entertainment led him to pursue theme‑park ventures on at least two occasions. In 1997, he partnered with Prince Al‑Waleed—an investor in Disneyland Paris—to develop a Peter Pan‑themed park. Together they founded Kingdom Entertainment to operate the envisioned attraction.
The proposed design featured a bustling London‑street façade that would usher visitors into a Neverland‑styled realm. A dramatic 50‑degree‑tilt ride would have shown guests a massive dome displaying footage of London and Neverland as they entered. A year later, Michael teamed up with casino magnate Don Barden to apply for a Detroit waterfront license, envisioning a colossal dome housing a hotel, amusement park, aquarium, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The entire complex, dubbed Majestic Kingdom, would have included The Thriller Theme Park and The Mansion in the Sky. The license never materialized, and the dream remained unbuilt.
2 He Almost Starred As Professor X In X‑Men
The casting saga for the 2000 film *X‑Men* was a revolving door of celebrity auditions. Shaquille O’Neal coveted the role of Bishop, while Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey both lobbied for Storm. Producers ultimately favored Angela Bassett for Storm, but her agents demanded a higher salary. Rachael Leigh Cook was also considered for Rogue, but her representation also asked for more money.
Both Terence Stamp and Michael threw their hats in the ring for Professor X. Neither secured the part, which ultimately went to Patrick Stewart. Meanwhile, Viggo Mortensen pursued Wolverine, only to lose to Dougray Scott. An unexpected motorcycle accident on the set of *Mission: Impossible 2* sidelined Dougray, prompting Bryan Singer to call in Hugh Jackman, who finally embodied the iconic mutant.
1 He Almost Had A Duet With Prince
The rivalry between Michael and Prince was legendary, with each viewing the other as a competitive threat. In 2006, Prince famously walked up to Michael during a concert and blared his bass directly at him, a moment that underscored their tense relationship. Michael himself never spoke kindly of Prince, labeling him rude, mean, and nasty.
Despite the animosity, the two artists attempted to collaborate twice. The first effort involved reworking Michael’s 1987 hit “Bad” into a duet. Prince rejected the proposal, then mockingly re‑recorded the track and sent it back to Michael. Years later, Prince approached Michael again, this time for a duet tied to an upcoming Batman soundtrack. Michael declined, preferring to concentrate on his own concert endeavors. The missed collaborations remain a fascinating footnote in pop history.