In a recent interview for A24, Hollywood heavyweights Pedro Pascal and Joaquin Phoenix looked back at the defining moments of their careers and for Phoenix, one unforgettable experience stood out: meeting Michael Jackson.
For those unfamiliar, Pedro Pascal has become a household name thanks to hit series like The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and Game of Thrones. Meanwhile, Joaquin Phoenix has delivered powerhouse performances in Joker, Her, Walk the Line, and more, earning a reputation as one of the most transformative actors of his generation.
But even with all those accolades, Phoenix says nothing quite compares to the moment he witnessed Michael Jackson in his element.
“The strongest memory… it had to do with meeting Michael Jackson, who was filming something for, like, Disney World — Captain EO,” he shared. “And I walked onto the stage, they brought me onto the stage, and there were like 40 gigantic fans blowing, and the loudest music comes on, and he comes out and does like this three-minute dance. The cameras moved around and it was like the most incredible experience that ever happened.”
Phoenix would’ve been around 11 years old when Captain EO was filmed, the now-legendary 3D sci-fi musical short created by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas. The film starred Michael Jackson as the galactic hero Captain EO, and it became one of Disney’s most ambitious theme park attractions ever, combining state-of-the-art effects, epic music, and MJ’s unmistakable talent.
Hearing someone like Joaquin Phoenix recount that moment with such awe is a powerful reminder of the magic Michael brought not just to fans, but to everyone around him, even future Hollywood icons.
Yet it’s bittersweet.
Despite Captain EO being a fan-favorite with lasting legacy, it’s a shame that John Branca, co-executor of the Michael Jackson Estate, has reportedly fallen out with Disney over copyright issues related to the ABC documentary. This tension has seemingly put a damper on any potential collaborations between Disney and the Estate.
And it’s especially unfortunate, considering Disney has shown signs of wanting to revive Captain EO’s legacy.
We’ve heard that Disney had plans to include the Galactic Captain in their Infinity franchise, and in a nod that hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans, Fuzzball, Captain EO’s beloved sidekick, was recently brought back in Disney’s Star Wars series, Skeleton Crew. These subtle moves suggest that Disney still sees the value and relevance of Michael’s creative universe.
It’s clear the public and creatives alike still cherish Captain EO and Phoenix’s powerful memory only adds to that legacy. Let’s hope one day the stars align for Michael’s Disney-era brilliance to return in full force.
