Johnny Depp Emerges As Favourite To Play Michael Jackson

Johnny Depp has been made the favourite to play Michael Jackson after it was revealed that the singer's estate are to make a biopic with 'Ghostbusters' and 'Up in the Air' producers Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock.

Bookmakers Paddy Power opened betting after the news was made public yesterday, with Depp surging into an early lead, with odds of 4/1.

Other big name stars include 'High School Musical's' Zac Effron, at 9/2, Usher at 6/1, Will Smith at 8/1 and Justin Timberlake at 12/1.

Given Jackson's change in skin pigmentation over the years, the bookies are also offering odds of 8/1 that the eventual lead star will be white, while it's even money that the man to play the King of Pop will be black.

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power, said in a statement: "It’s going to be one mammoth task trying to get someone good enough at acting and dancing to fill Michael Jackson’s moon-walking shoes but when it comes to the race we’re betting it don’t matter if he’s black or white!"

It was revealed that discussions for a movie had begun following the trial of Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, at which he was found guilty of inolvuntary manslaughter.