Summary
- Director Antoine Fuqua will helm a new biopic on the life of Michael Jackson, with filming starting on January 22, 2025.
- The film, titled Michael, is produced by Graham King and will be an honest portrayal of the legendary pop star’s highs and lows.
- Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, will play his uncle in the title role. Jackson’s resemblance and talent impressed Fuqua and the producers.
Universal and Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic continues to expand its cast, with Euphoria and Rustin star Colman Domingo being the latest star to join the movie. Hot on the heels of his first Oscar nomination being announced, Domingo will play the key role of Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, in the film focusing on the life of the pop icon. In a statement, the actor said:
“I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon. Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex and flawed character to portray in Joe Jackson, but I also have a front row seat for Jaafar’s incredible transformation. After seeing him in rehearsal, my mind was blown. There is something divine about the way that Jaafar is channeling his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of Michael’s essence is simply on another level.”
Director Antoine Fuqua expressed his delight to have Domingo joining the project, praising the actor and his abilities. He said:
Colman has such incredible range – he puts in the work to deeply inhabit his characters and understand their true essence and motivation. I’m grateful to be working with an actor with his passion and ability to portray the many sides of Joe Jackson: a husband, a father and a manager.
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Cameras Are Set to Roll on MIchael
The renowned director of Training Day, and The Equalizer franchise, Antoine Fuqua, will be helming a new biopic centering around the life of the legendary, and controversial pop star, Michael Jackson. Via Deadline, Michael will begin Principal Photography on January 22 according to Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International, who announced on January 11 that the long-awaited project is finally moving forward. It is currently slated for release on April 18, 2025.
First announced in 2019, Michael is being produced by Graham King, the man behind other such hits as Bohemian Rhapsody, and The Departed. The script will be penned by John Logan of The Aviator, and Penny Dreadful fame. In a statement released by King, he said he’s honored to tell Michael Jackson’s story, and that he’s excited for audiences to see it:
“I’m so honored to tell Michael’s story. It’s been a long journey and I’m excited for the film to show audiences around the world a perspective of Michael that they’ve never seen.”
In addition to Graham King’s statement, the Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, Adam Fogelson, shared his own sentiments. Fogelson mentioned how Jackson’s influence on pop culture is still relevant today, and that he remains one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Check out his full statement below:
“Michael Jackson was inarguably one of the greatest entertainers of all time. His impact on music, video, art, fashion, culture – and so much more – was extraordinary and is still profoundly relevant. I can’t wait for audiences to be able to see this film in theaters worldwide next year.”
Michael promises to be an honest portrayal of the iconic King of Pop, and will include both his celebrated highs and controversial lows. Jackson passed away in 2009, and since then has been the subject of numerous documentary films, including Spike Lee’s Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall, which was released in 2016. In 2019, HBO released a limited series titled Leaving Neverland, which was based on the claims by Wade Robson and James Safechuck that Jackson sexually abused them as children at his Neverland Ranch.
Who Will Portray Michael Jackson?
In January 2023, it was announced that Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, would play his uncle in the title role. Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, who would go on to have a solo career of his own after his time in the Jackson 5. In an interview with EW, Antoine Fuqua revealed how he came to learn of Jaafar, and just how much like Michael he really is:
“It’s uncanny how much he’s like Michael…sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really uncanny. Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away.”
Jaafar has been dancing and singing since age 12, and is active on social media. Michael will be his film debut, and the 27-year-old said on X at the time of his casting that he is “honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life.” Check out his full post below:
The April 18, 2025, release date for Michael was previously reserved for the latest installment in The Exorcist franchise, The Exorcist: Deceiver, but it was recently announced that director David Gordon Green has exited the film, causing Universal to pull the film from its upcoming releases, thus paving the way for Michael to moonwalk into its spot.
