TMZ.com

John Branca is all smiles over the "Michael" biopic -- especially when it comes to Miles Teller playing ... well, him.

We caught Branca in L.A. Monday and he couldn't stop hyping Miles -- calling him a great actor and basically gushing over his performance in the film, which Branca also produced.

Check the clip ... he also shows love to Jaafar Jackson, who steps into the King of Pop's shoes for the role.

Donnell Rawlings is standing firmly in Michael Jackson’s corner ... telling us the filmmakers were right to reportedly spend millions reworking the upcoming biopic to remove references to abuse allegations.

Check out the clip ... we caught up with the comedian over the weekend and asked whether the reported $25M overhaul to reshoot the third act -- which featured sexual abuse allegations against the pop star -- was the right move ... and Donnell didn’t hesitate to give his POV.

He pointed to the fact Michael was acquitted in his 2005 criminal trial and said the allegations ultimately amounted to “speculation” ... adding the movie shouldn’t tarnish the King of Pop’s legacy by ending on accusations instead of his contributions to music and the world.

Donnell told us people should remember Michael for “healing the world” and being “the greatest performer that we’ve ever seen” ... making it crystal clear where he stands on the controversy.

Fans are jumping out of their seats to moonwalk alongside Michael Jackson during the new biopic -- but it's causing mixed feelings online.

People are going viral for bringing the energy to theaters ... with dancers busting a move on opening weekend. However, others are straight-up disturbed and would rather watch the show they came for.

As we told you, "Michael" follows the Prince of Pop's rise to superstardom from his beginnings with the Jackson 5 to his mainstream solo success. The film ends during the height of his popularity -- finishing with his 1988 "Bad" tour -- 5 years before he was accused of sexually abusing a minor.

Just when you thought you were out, we pull you right back in ... with another round of Guess Who!

Surely you must know this iconic actor -- some might even call him the godfather of mobster movies!

Still not confident you've figured it out?

"Michael" biopic honchos were reportedly paid $25 million more than their original deal after the estate had to reshoot the third act, which featured sexual abuse allegations against the pop star, TMZ has learned.

Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King were originally set to make $10 million and $6 million, respectively ... but according to Bloomberg, Fuqua was paid an extra $15 million and King an extra $10 million from Michael Jackson's estate after the allegations needed to be cut out and several scenes reshot.

As you know, Michael was first publicly accused of child sexual abuse in 1993, and he reached a settlement with the family of his accuser, Jordan Chandler, the following year.

Charlize Theron took things to wild new heights -- literally scaling a New York City billboard on the side of a building today to hype her new survival thriller, "Apex."

You've gotta see this -- the Oscar winner's strapped in and climbing the side of a building in Times Square like it was just another day at the office, looking totally at ease and every bit the action star.

She didn’t stop at the top -- Charlize smoothly made her way back down, pulling off the high-intensity stunt like it was a walk in the park.

A new report that "Rush Hour 4" might've already hit a big roadblock with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker wanting major dough -- and that they ain't getting it -- is being overblown, TMZ has learned.

Puck reported on Friday ... 'RH4' is in a messy place ... because the iconic star duo has not signed on after the initial offer of $8 million apiece was rejected. The pair got around $20 million each for the third film in 2007. According to Puck, this current impasse means delays ... and maybe even a project collapse.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... negotiations with the stars are ongoing, and this is all a completely normal part of the movie-making business. We're told confidence is high that an agreement will be reached -- and Chris and Jackie will be kicking back into action.

Jack Nicholson made a rare cameo appearance -- and he did so on a very special occasion.

That's right ... the legendary actor turned 89 Wednesday -- and his daughter, Lorraine, celebrated Jack's big day by posting a pic of her daddio on her Instagram Story.

In the photo, Jack's cracking his famous Cheshire grin while clapping his hands with none other than Joni Mitchell sitting on a couch nearby. Lorraine also posted a vintage photo of Jack kicking back while smoking a stogie.

Inmates at the federal slammer in Atlanta are pissed about the "Superman" sequel being shot there ... but we've now heard from prison officials, who say that those bitching about the production should realize the Man of Steel is good for them!

TMZ broke the news ... inmates are mad because the "Man of Tomorrow" shoot is messing up their routines -- and more importantly, access inside the joint and at the commissary. Basically, while the flick is in production, we're told prisoners have to remain in their cells way more than under normal circumstances.

But the Federal Bureau of Prisons now tells TMZ ... they've heard nothing but positive feedback about the production from inside the joint ... and it's an honor for the facility to be a location for the DC movie.

Things got bloody in Rome ... but it's all for the cameras, with actor Andrzej Chyra going full method as Pope John Paul II.

Check the video -- the acclaimed Polish star was deep in character for the upcoming historical thriller "Santo Subito!" ... recreating the 1981 assassination attempt and dramatically collapsing after the "shot," fake blood splattered all over.

The scene's no joke ... packed with extras to mirror the real-life moment when Mehmet Ali Ağca opened fire as the Pope entered St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.

Superman fans are super stoked the sequel to James Gunn's DC blockbuster has started production in Georgia ... but there's a group of people who ain't so happy ... local prisoners.

TMZ has learned from an inside source ... inmates at FCI Atlanta are pissed at the production because the "Man of Tomorrow" shoot is allegedly messing up their routines -- and more importantly, access inside the joint. Basically, while the flick is in production, we're told prisoners have to remain in their cells way more than under normal circumstances -- and even worse ... no access to commissary.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons tells TMZ ... they'd never comment on internal security practices or procedures in general ... but if a warden did put a facility on modified operations status, it would be for the safety of staff and inmates. Usually, such an order would happen after a violent incident that needed to be investigated.

The Michael Jackson biopic opens tomorrow ... but one cast member told fans this morning, don't expect to see her in the film.

Kat Graham was cast as the iconic Diana Ross ... but the singer and actress says her scenes were among those cut for legal reasons -- meaning they were likely intertwined with Jackson's fall from grace amid the child abuse allegations.

KG says the team did the best they could to keep the story of Michael's life intact ... but decisions were made, and she's out.

Colman Domingo and Nia Long are explaining why the new Michael Jackson biopic doesn't touch on child molestation allegations against the King of Pop.

The "Michael" stars chopped it up with Craig Melvin on "TODAY" and he asked them why the film end the story in 1988 ... many years before the first round of troubling allegations cropped up.

Colman says the biopic is all about Michael's rise -- told through MJ's eyes. It illustrates his roots, his influences, how he was raised, and how he searched for his voice as an artist.

Marlon Wayans is loving the fact Terry Crews ripped his shirt off and sent Coachella into a full-blown “White Chicks” frenzy ... but he’s also got one hilarious request: maybe chill on the chest flashes.

Check out the clip ... we caught up with Wayans on Tuesday at LAX, where he couldn’t help but crack up over his “White Chicks” costar recreating his iconic “A Thousand Miles” moment during Sabrina Carpenter’s headlining set at Coachella.

“That boy love his chest,” Wayans told us. “Stop showing your titties to everybody, Terry!”

Patrick Muldoon's sudden death this week rocked fans and Hollywood ... but TMZ has learned one of his last completed projects might help some heal.

As we reported ... the film and TV star best known for his roles in "Days of Our Lives," "Melrose Place," and "Starship Troopers" died after suffering a heart attack on Sunday.

Kevin Interdonato, the writer-director of “Dirty Hands,” tells TMZ … the premiere for the crime thriller in which Patrick is the star, is tonight in New Jersey … and what was going to be a celebration of the film is now a celebration of Patrick.

Universal’s live-action "How to Train Your Dragon 2" has hit a rough patch before cameras even finish rolling ... 'cause a crew member just lost multiple fingers in a brutal accident during production.

A source with direct knowledge tells TMZ ... a special-effects tech working at the UK's Sky Studios Elstree severed multiple fingers on one hand earlier this month during an incident involving a saw in a workshop tied to production.

Doctors tried to save the severed digits, but they couldn’t be reattached, despite surgery.