The Moonwalker, released in 1988, is a collection of music videos mixed with a fantasy story, starring Michael Jackson. It features Jackson’s struggle against a menacing drug dealer named Mr. Big. This article provides an overview of the movie’s filming locations, key cast members and some surprising and fun facts about its production.
Where it Filmed?
The production of Moonwalker took place in various locations. Brownstone Street, located in the Backlot of Universal Studios in Universal City, California, was one of the primary filming sites. Furthermore, filming took place in Los Angeles, California, Culver Studios in Culver City, California, and Harbor Star Stage, situated in San Pedro, Los Angeles, California. The movie was filmed over two main periods: February to April 1987 and December 1987 to January 1988.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Michael Jackson | Michael |
| Joe Pesci | Mr. Big |
| Sean Lennon | Sean |
| Patrick Alan | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Brenda Barrett | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Scott Benson | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Bonnie Beutler | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Lindell Blake | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Kim Blank | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Shelby Brown | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Geron Canidate | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Cindera Che | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Chris Coaley | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Gary Coburn | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Raphael Douglas | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Debbie Esposito | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Lorraine Fields | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Alison Fusco | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Eddie Garcia | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Nick Garfield | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Frank Gatson | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Greg Gonzales | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Hugo Huizar | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Beth Impey | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Lisa Kellogg | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Tina Landon | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Lance MacDonald | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Joseph Malone | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Keith McDaniel | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Odis Medley | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Todd Niles | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Glenn Padgett | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Michael Perea | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Larry Ramierez | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Louis Rangel | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Sebastian Russell | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Alif Sankey | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Chris Sheck | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Liz Sibert | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| LaVelle Smith Jr. | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Chris Solari | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Smith Wordes | Dancer (segment “Smooth Criminal”) |
| Bilal | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Brent Kelly | Jay O’Connor (segment “Badder”) |
| Danial Brown | (segment “Badder”) |
| Jose Chaidez | (segment “Badder”) |
| Garland Spencer | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| D.J. Dellos | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Dylan Stewart | Ellan (segment “Badder”) |
| Dove Dellos | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Dion Turner | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Cory Tyler | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Tony Williams | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Reggie Williams | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Eric Ryan | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Nikki Cox | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Kimberly Duncan | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Tisha Tucker | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Terrance Williams | Dancer (segment “Badder”) |
| Frank DiLeo | Dancer (segment “Come Together”) |
| Menachem Begin | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Jimmy Carter | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Steve Fuji | Shadow Legion Trooper (Segment “Smooth Criminal” |
| Mohandas K. Gandhi | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Mikhail Gorbachev | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Brent Kelly | Jay O’Connor (segment “Badder”) |
| John F. Kennedy | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Robert F. Kennedy | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Martin Luther King | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Brandon Scott Miller | Self |
| Mother Teresa | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Ronald Reagan | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Anwar Sadat | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Gregg Sargeant | Shadow Legion Trooper |
| Desmond Tutu | Self (archiveFootage) |
| Jennifer Batten | Self – Guitar Player (segment “Come Together”) (uncredited) |
| The Boys | Themselves (uncredited) |
| Miko C. Brando | Michael’s Friend (segment “Speed Demon”) (uncredited) |
| Clancy Brown | Police Officer (segment “Speed Demon”) (uncredited) |
| Bill Dion | Security Guard (segment: Speed Demon) (uncredited) |
| Taryll Jackson | Self (uncredited) |
| TJ Jackson | Self (uncredited) |
| Mick Jagger | Self (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Angella Kaye | Dancer (uncredited) |
| Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Themselves (uncredited) |
| Paul McMichael | Biff (live action) (uncredited) |
| Paul Reubens | Pee-wee Herman (uncredited) (voice) |
| Joseph Shabalala | Self (segment “The Moon is Walking”) (uncredited) |
| Jody Sigmund | Storm Trooper (uncredited) |
| Elizabeth Taylor | Maggie Pollitt (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
| Scott L. Treger | Starship Trooper (uncredited) |
| Lech Walesa | Self (uncredited) (archiveFootage) |
Trivia and Facts
- Moonwalker’s film duration is 1 hour and 33 minutes, classifying it under Action/Crime genre.
- The movie was released in Japan on October 29, 1988.
- Besides Michael Jackson, the film was directed by Colin Chilvers, Jerry Kramer, and Jim Blashfield.
- The script was written by Michael Jackson and David Newman.
- Other prominent stars include Joe Pesci as Mr. Big and Sean Lennon playing himself.
- The film garnered 2 win and 2 nominations in various award categories.
- The movie was well received with 111 user reviews and 24 critic reviews.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Brownstone Street, Backlot, Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.1370713
- Longitude: -118.3533061
- Place ID: ChIJzzgyJU–woARcZqceSdQ3dM
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.0549076
- Longitude: -118.242643
- Place ID: ChIJE9on3F3HwoAR9AhGJW_fL-I
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Culver Studios – 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.02408580000001
- Longitude: -118.3929057
- Place ID: ChIJq41JZhW6woARnPdhtJsHvsI
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 9336 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Harbor Star Stage, San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Latitude: 33.7360696
- Longitude: -118.2923791
- Place ID: ChIJpYrtFq413YARX4eG8Fd9FAQ
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: San Pedro, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
