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Michael Jackson’s nephew looks just like the King of Pop in first photo from biopic

Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson is the spitting image of his late uncle.

On Feb. 13, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International shared a first-look photo of Jaafar Jackson dressed as the iconic singer in the upcoming biopic “Michael."

In the picture, Jaafar Jackson channeled his late uncle by rocking a white V-neck shirt, a pair of black pants and a ponytail, which was a signature style of the "Man in the Mirror" singer.

According to Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International, Jaafar Jackson was recreating one of Michael Jackson's performance looks from his legendary 1992-'93 "Dangerous" tour.

Once the snap circulated online, fans were quick to react to how they felt about Jaafar Jackson being cast in the role.

"He look like MJ :)," one person commented on X.

Another said , "Woa I had to do a double take."

A third added , "Crazy how much they look alike."

A fourth joked , "Was he resurrected?"

The first-look photo was captured by photographer Kevin Mazur, who is one of the many photographers who documented Michael Jackson over the years.

"Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, ‘Wow, it is Michael.’ The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything — he’s Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn’t have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime — this is how it was," Mazur said in a press release.

Producer Graham King echoed the same sentiment. He said, “With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael. He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.” 

Read on to learn more about Michael Jackson's new biopic "Michael."

What is Michael Jackson's new biopic 'Michael' about?

"Michael" will tell the story of the late King of Pop.

"The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances," according to a statement from Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International. "As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known."

When is Michael Jackson's new biopic 'Michael' coming out?

"Michael" is set to be released in theaters worldwide on April 18, 2025. The film is currently in production.

Who is cast in the film?

A few actors have already been announced for "Michael."

Alongside Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo is set to play Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, and Nia Long will take on the role of Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson.

Miles Teller is also set to star in the film and play the singer's manager John Branca.

“We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project — hair & makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything — and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film," said "Michael" director Antoine Fuqua in a statement.

"Most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael," he continued. "It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it.” 

• Entertainment

Michael Jackson's Nephew Tapped to Portray Him in Antoine Fuqua-Directed Biopic

Updated on 1/30/2023 at 2:35 PM

With the explosion of celebrity biopics in recent years — " Elvis ," about rock legend Elvis Presley, "Bohemian Rhapsody" about Queen singer Freddie Mercury, and " Rocketman " about icon Elton John, to name a few — it was due time for Jackson's simultaneously fascinating and tumultuous personal and professional life to be highlighted in a feature film. Well, it's happening. The King of Pop is coming to a movie theater near you soon, and we finally know who's portraying him: his nephew, Jaafar Jackson.

It was announced on Jan. 18 via Deadline that the late Michael Jackson's story will be told in a new Lionsgate biopic directed by the acclaimed Antoine Fuqua and coproduced by " Bohemian Rhapsody " producer Graham King. On Jan. 30, Fuqua revealed Jaafar's casting in an Instagram post that included a photo of him dressed like his late uncle. He captioned it, "Proud to announce @jaafarjackson as Michael — the motion picture event that explores the journey of the man who became the King of Pop. Coming soon."

Jaafar seems like the best candidate for the gig as his singing voice closely resembles his uncle's — just check out his music video posted on YouTube.

As for Jackson's biopic, it'll follow after previous renditions about his life — including the 1992 TV movie "The Jacksons: An American Dream" and 2004's "Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story." Jackson, born in 1958 in Indiana, rose to fame as a child star along with his brothers as part of The Jackson 5. The musical genius went on to win 13 Grammys over his lifetime, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, and was dubbed "The King of Pop" after embarking on a solo career and releasing hits like "Billie Jean," "Thriller," "Beat It," and "Smooth Criminal."

While Jackson's career was undoubtedly impressive, his life was complex and shrouded in controversy in his later years. Between accusations of child sexual abuse and his tragic death at age 50, Jackson has made headlines for more than just his musical talent. Now, that full life story will be detailed in the upcoming biopic about his life.

Read on for all the details we have about the film so far.

Michael Jackson Biopic Title

While there are many celebrities with the first name Michael, there's perhaps none more recognizable and timeless than Michael Jackson, which is why his biopic is moving forward with the fitting title, "Michael."

"Michael" Plot

According to The Hollywood Reporter , "Michael" will cover everything from Jackson's child stardom in The Jackson 5 to his impactful musical career as an adult, but will also fairly address the accusations of child sexual abuse he faced late in his life. Although the exact plot hasn't been confirmed, it's also expected for the film to touch on the pop star's tragic 2009 death.

"Michael" Biopic Director, Producers, and Screenwriter

Per Deadline , "Micheal" will be directed by Fuqua, who most notably worked on "Emancipation" with Will Smith , "The Equalizer" franchise starring Denzel Washington , and the critically acclaimed "Training Day."

"For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson," Fuqua shared about the subject of "Michael" (via Variety ). "I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work — the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible."

King, who most recently worked on the Freddie Mercury biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," will co-produce "Michael" alongside John Branca and John McClain, who were both involved in Jackson's life in different capacities. While Branca, an entertainment lawyer, was part of Jackson's management team and instrumental in producing the "Thriller" short film, McClain is a music executive who's been associated with acts like Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Janet Jackson.

The film's script will be penned by John Logan, who famously worked on "Gladiator" and the hit James Bond films "Skyfall" and "Spectre" featuring Daniel Craig .

"Michael" Biopic Release Date

No details about "Michael"'s release date or filming locations have been shared at this time. Production, however, is reportedly set to kick off later this year , accommodating Fuqua's schedule as he's currently working on "The Equalizer 3" in Italy.

• Michael Jackson
• Casting News

'Daunting' Michael Jackson biopic wows CinemaCon with first footage of Jaafar Jackson

LAS VEGAS – The first glimpse at the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic was a real thriller.

On Wednesday, movie theater owners at CinemaCon got an exciting sneak peek at director Antoine Fuqua's "Michael" (out April 18, 2025), which stars the King of Pop's nephew Jaafar Jackson as the music legend and is currently in production.

"Michael, you have a very special light. So let your light shine unto the world," MJ's mom Katherine (Nia Long) says in voiceover. The first footage showed the icon with the Jackson 5 (with Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael) and then in concert doing all the smooth moves fans know and love. (And in case you're wondering, Jackson has his uncle's look and dancing down pat.)

Who is playing Michael Jackson in the movie?

Set mostly to "Man in the Mirror," the first footage of Jaafar Jackson covered different musical moments but also family life and some of the darker bits as well, such as being overwhelmed in the public eye and being rushed to the hospital.

In a Lionsgate presentation, producer Graham King ("Bohemian Rhapsody") promised the biopic would cover Jackson's musical successes, including more than 30 songs, and his controversies. "There are biopics, and then there is Michael," said King, who called him "an enigma full of eccentricities."

Jackson "was a simple man who lived a complicated life," King added. "When you mention his name, everyone has an opinion of him." And so far, putting his life onscreen has been "a daunting task to say the least."

The "Michael" cast also includes Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as family patriarch Joe Jackson, Miles Teller as attorney John Branca, Kat Graham as Diana Ross and Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy.

Domingo told USA TODAY earlier this year that he was "still exploring what I love about" about Joe Jackson "and the one thing I've found so far is how strong he was."

Michael: release date, cast, first look and everything we know about the Michael Jackson biopic

Michael Jackson is the latest music icon to get the biopic treatment.

The King of Pop is coming to the big screen, as Michael Jackson is the subject of the upcoming biopic simply titled Michael . This is the latest entry of the music biopic genre that in recent years has included Bob Marley: One Love and Elvis .

Michael features a number of Hollywood veterans helping to bring Jackson's legacy — reportedly including some of its more complicated facets — to life on screen, including Antoine Fuqua as the director, Oscar-nominee John Logan as the writer and Oscar-winner Graham King producing. But to play Michael Jackson, the filmmakers have turned to a new face, but one with a connection to the famous singer.

Find out more about that and other key details for the movie below as we go over everything that you need to know about Michael .

Michael release date

A worldwide premiere date of April 18, 2025, has already been set for Michael .

The movie is currently in production, but even though it is more than a year away, it immediately becomes one of the more anticipated upcoming movies on the calendar.

Michael cast

Playing Michael Jackson in the biopic is Jafaar Jackson, the singer's nephew. Jackson is a singer, songwriter and entertainer, but he is making his acting debut playing his uncle. "With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael," said producer Graham King. "He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could."

Young actor Juliano Krue Valdi is going to play the younger version of Michael.

The rest of the Jackson 5, the iconic family group where Michael Jackson first broke out, will see Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson play the younger and older versions of Jermaine Jackson; Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson; Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson; and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson. 

The rest of the cast for Michael brings plenty of experience. Oscar-nominee Colman Domingo ( Rustin ) plays Joe Jackson, Michael's father, Nia Long ( Missing ) plays his mother Katherine Jackson, while Miles Teller ( Top Gun: Maverick ) is playing Michael Jackson's lawyer John Branca.

Michael plot

Here is the official synopsis for Michael from Lionsgate:

" Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, exemplified by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known."

Michael trailer

There is no trailer for Michael at this time. When one becomes available, we'll add it here. 

Michael first look

While there’s no trailer, a first-look image of Jafaar Jackson as Michael Jackson has been shared, depicting him as his late-uncle on the 1992-1993 Dangerous Tour.

The photo was taken by Kevin Mazur, who documented Michael Jackson throughout his career, including rehearsals of Jackson's This Is It concerts.

"When I walked onto the set, I felt like I'd gone back in time and I was walking into the stadium to shoot the tour," said Mazur in a Lionsgate press release. "Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, 'Wow, it is Michael.' The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything — he's Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn't have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime — this is how it was."

Antoine Fuqua movies

Antoine Fuqua directs Michael , and while this is his first biopic, he is familiar with telling the story of an iconic real-life figure, having directed the documentary What's My Name: Muhammad Ali . Check out Fuqua's full list of credits right here:

• Bait (2000)
• Training Day (2001)
• Tears of the Sun (2003)
• Lightning in a Bottle (2004)
• King Arthur (2004)
• Shooter (2007)
• Brooklyn's Finest (2009)
• Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
• The Equalizer (2014)
• Southpaw (2015)
• The Magnificent Seven (2016)
• The Equalizer 2 (2018)
• What's My Name: Muhammad Ali (2019)
• Infinite (2021)
• The Guilty (2021)
• Emancipation (2022)
• The Equalizer 3 (2023)

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Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca , Moulin Rouge! , Silence of the Lambs , Children of Men , One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars . On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd .

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Michael Jackson big screen biopic will start production this year

The film will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, whose credits include Training Day, and will be in collaboration with the singer’s estate

A long-gestating movie about the life of Michael Jackson is set to start production this year.

The film, called Michael, will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, whose credits include Training Day, The Equalizer and, most recently, slavery thriller Emancipation. The screenplay will come from three-time Oscar nominee John Logan, who wrote the scripts for Gladiator and Skyfall.

Michael will also be made in conjunction with the singer’s estate with co-executors John Branca and John McClain producing alongside Graham King, who has previously been involved with bringing Bohemian Rhapsody to the screen.

“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am,” said Fuqua in a statement. “For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter , studio Lionsgate has claimed the film will address “all aspects of Jackson’s life” and Deadline has stated that it will “deal squarely” with more difficult issues. After the release of HBO’s two-part docuseries Leaving Neverland in 2019, which contained allegations of sexual abuse towards children by Jackson, his estate condemned it as “tabloid character assassination” and insisted his innocence.

Michael follows on from Broadway musical MJ which was a box office hit making over $83m but received mixed reviews. The Guardian’s Adrian Horton called it “mesmerising” yet “ultimately discomforting”.

Queen drama Bohemian Rhapsody was a major hit upon release making $910m worldwide and while Elvis made $287m in 2022, Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody recently struggled with less than $50m since release last month. Upcoming music biopics focused on Amy Winehouse and Leonard Bernstein are set for release later this year.

• Michael Jackson

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Michael Jackson’s Nephew Will Play Him in Antoine Fuqua’s Biopic

Fans of sanding down the edges of complicated historical figures should be thrilled (get it?) because the producer of Bohemian Rhapsody and the writer of The Aviator have turned their eyes to Michael Jackson. Deadline previously reported that Emancipation director Antoine Fuqua is go-go-go to direct a biopic about the pop superstar–alleged criminal. The script will be written by John Logan and produced by Graham King and the co-executors of Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain. The film has been in development since at least 2019 but moved into high gear once a director was attached. It marks something of a return to the pop sphere for Fuqua, who got his start making music videos for people like Prince and Toni Braxton. “I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work — the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV,” Fuqua said of Jackson. “His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.” The film will be the latest piece of postmortem Jacksonania, which includes the concert doc This Is It, the musical MJ, and the true-crime documentary Leaving Neverland. 

Who’s playing Michael?

The King of Pop’s own nephew, of course. Fuqua announced on Instagram in January 2023 that Jaafar Jackson, a 26-year-old singer and son of Jermaine Jackson, will play the titular role in Michael . “I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life,” Jaafar tweeted. “To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon.”

Per Variety , 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will play the younger version of Jackson.

And the rest of the Jackson 5?

Jackson’s musical siblings will be played by two actors each. The casting is as follows:

• Jermaine: Jayden Harville (younger), Jamal R. Henderson (older) • Marlon: Jaylen Lyndon Hunter (younger), Tre Horton (older) • Tito: Judah Edwards (younger) and Rhyan Hill (older) • Jackie: Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (younger) and Joseph David-Jones (older)

Who else is in the cast?

Colman Domingo will take on the role of Michael Jackson’s dad and talent manager Joe Jackson, Variety reports. The musical patriarch launched the Jackson 5, and was involved in his children’s solo careers. “Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex and flawed character to portray in Joe Jackson,” Domingo said in a statement confirming the news, “but I also have a front row seat for Jaafar’s incredible transformation.”

Per The Hollywood Reporter , Nia Long will star as matriarch Katherine Jackson. In a statement, she described the King of Pop’s mother as “an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family.”

Miles Teller will star as entertainment lawyer and manager John Branca, according to Deadline . Branca, a real-life co-executor of Jackson’s estate, is also producing the biopic.

What’s the plot going to get into?

Lionsgate described the movie as “a riveting and honest portrayal” of the star that’s “exemplified by his most iconic performances.” Michael will span from Jackson’s early success (and trauma) in the Jackson 5 to his sedative-induced death. There will be musical set pieces galore, but Deadline adds that the film will “deal squarely with the pedophile accusations that dogged his later years.”

When is the biopic coming out?

Production began on January 22. It’ll head to theaters on April 18, 2025.

This post has been updated.

• michael jackson
• bohemian rhapsody
• antoine fuqua
• coming soon
• colman domingo
• jaafar jackson

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Michael Jackson’s Nephew Recreates the King of Pop’s Iconic Dangerous Tour in ‘Michael’ Biopic First Look

By Jordan Moreau

Jordan Moreau

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The first look at the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic has been released, and it recreates one of the singer’s most iconic outfits.

Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson , plays the King of Pop in “Michael,” which releases in theaters on April 18, 2025. The film is now in production.

Jaafar Jackson takes the stage and recreates his uncle’s iconic “Man in the Mirror” look from his Dangerous Tour from 1992-93 in the first-look photo. It was taken by photographer Kevin Mazur, who photographed Jackson throughout his career and during his “This Is It” rehearsals.

Popular on Variety

The cast includes Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as father Joe Jackson, Nia Long as mother Katherine Jackson, Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael and Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca.

Director Antoine Fuqua added, “We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project – hair and makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything – and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film. But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it.”

“Michael” is produced by King and the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, Branca and John McClain. Lionsgate is distributing the film domestically, while Universal Pictures International will handle all territories apart from Japan, which Lionsgate will oversee. 

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Here’s who’s playing who in the Michael Jackson biopic

The film, titled 'Michael', is due for an April 2025 release

The feature film biopic of Michael Jackson , titled Michael , is set to be released in 2025, and the cast is coming together – read on to see who will star in the film.

Michael has been confirmed to receive a theatrical release in the United States on April 18, 2025, per production house Lionsgate. A UK release date is yet to be announced.

It will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who is known for films including  Training Day ,  The Equalizer  and  Brooklyn’s Finest . It will also be written by John Logan, who has previously worked on  Gladiator ,  The Aviator ,  Skyfall  and  Spectre .

Filming began last month, having been delayed by the 2023 acting strike, with principal photography in Santa Monica expected to take 80 days.

Given the connection to the Jackson estate, it is unclear whether the film will explore the most controversial aspects of his life, including the allegations of child sexual abuse.

The director of the Michael Jackson documentary  Leaving Neverland , which explored the allegations against the late singer, recently  criticised the making of the new biopic saying it “will glorify a man who raped children” .

Who is playing who in the Michael Jackson biopic?

Recommended.

It was announced in January 2023 that Michael Jackson’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson , will play the King of Pop in the film. Jaafar is the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine . This will be the 27-year-old’s film debut, although he has appeared in the Lifetime reality show The Jacksons: Next Generation .

The first photo of Jaafar portraying his uncle has been shared . The pic, which you can view below, sees Jaafar performing as Jackson during his  Dangerous Tour  from 1992-93.

“With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael,” said producer Graham King in a statement recently. “He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.”

The role of Michael’s father Joe Jackson will be filled by Colman Domingo.

Domingo has been nominated for an Oscar this year for his portrayal of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in Rustin , and he has also appeared in Euphoria , Selma and If Beale Street Could Talk .

The actor has said of his casting: “It’s exciting to do it with Jaafar. Jermaine Jackson’s son is playing Michael, and he is breathtaking, and I think Graham King, the producer, has assembled an incredible cast.”

He added: “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.”

Also announced for the film is Miles Teller , who will play John Branca, Michael’s manager after his father, and the man who was instrumental in launching his solo career. Branca is also listed as an executive producer on the film.

Teller is known for his appearances in Whiplash , Fantastic Four and Top Gun: Maverick .

Playing Michael’s mother Katherine Jackson will be Nia Long, known for Empire , Boyz n the Hood and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air . The role of young Michael, meanwhile, will be filled by newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi, who is 9 years old.

“If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived?” said Fuqua.

“In the end, that was our focus – talent – and we looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael’s spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano’s undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list.”

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• Jermaine Jackson
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• Miles Teller

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Antoine Fuqua Shares Details on Michael Jackson Biopic Movie

By Jonathan Sim

Director Antoine Fuqua has shared a few details on his upcoming Michael Jackson biopic movie.

What is Antoine Fuqua’s next movie?

Fuqua, who has directed movies like Training Day, Olympus Has Fallen, and Southpaw, has had a long, successful career in Hollywood. His upcoming movie is The Equalizer 3, an action thriller that will star Denzel Washington in the third movie of the series.

He recently shared information on his upcoming movie Michael. “He was a great artist. He was human,” Fuqua said on Good Morning America . “We’re gonna show the good, bad, and the ugly…We just gonna tell the facts.”

This movie is set to be written by John Logan, who wrote films like Skyfall, Gladiator, and The Aviator. It will be produced by Graham King, who produced movies like The Departed, Hugo, and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Jonathan Sim is a film critic and filmmaker born and raised in New York City. He has met/interviewed some of the leading figures in Hollywood, including Christopher Nolan, Zendaya, Liam Neeson, and Denis Villeneueve. He also works as a screenwriter, director, and producer on independent short films.

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The Michael Jackson biopic movie Michael , being directed by Antoine Fuqua from a script by John Logan, has been ramping up on the casting front since Deadline first broke the story of the project in January 2023. The film is underway on production ahead of a n April 18, 2025 release date via Lionsgate and Universal.

The film will focus on Jackson’s career highlights beginning with the days he fronted the Jackson 5 to becoming the world’s biggest star but also deal with the pedophile accusations that dogged his later years up to his death in 2009 at age 50.

Casting started at the beginning. when Fuqua and producer Graham King tapped Jackson’s nephew and Jermaine Jackson’s son Jaafar to portray Michael in the singer’s prime. Juliano Krue Valdi has been set as the young Michael.

Fuqua said he’s been “blown away” by Jaafar’s resemblance to the King of Pop, telling EW he “sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really uncanny.”

Others now cast in the film include Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Jackson’s influential parents Joe and Katherine, and Miles Teller as Jackson attorney John Branca. A group of eight actors — four younger, four older — have been set to play Michael’s brothers Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie : Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine), Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton (Marlon), Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill (Tito) and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones (Jackie).

Scroll below for the actors and who they’re playing, and keep checking back as more are confirmed.

Jaafar Jackson playing Michael Jackson

Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson: First-Look Image

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’ biopic, and Michael Jackson onstage at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1992

Juliano Krue Valdi playing young Michael Jackson

Juliano Krue Valdi, Michael Jackson

Colman Domingo playing Joe Jackson

Colman Domingo and Joe Jackson

Nia Long playing Katherine Jackson

Nia Long, Katherine Jackson

Miles Teller playing John Branca

Miles Teller, John Branca

Jayden Harville & Jamal R. Henderson playing Jermaine Jackson

(L-R) Younger Jermaine played by Jayden Harville, and older by Jamal R. Henderson

Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill playing Tito Jackson

(L-R) Younger Tito played by Jaylen Lyndon Hunter, and older by Tre Horton

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton playing Marlon Jackson

(L-R) Younger Marlon played by Jaylen Lyndon Hunter, and older by Tre Horton

Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones playing Jackie Jackson

(L-R) Younger Jackie played by Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, and older played by Joseph David-Jones

Jessica Sula playing La Toya Jackson

 playing La Toya

Larenz Tate playing Berry Gordy

Kat Graham playing Diana Ross

Liv Symone playing Gladys Knight

Kendrick Sampson playing Quincy Jones

Kevin Shinick playing Dick Clark

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Screen Rant

Who plays michael jackson in 2025's michael movie.

The casting for Michael Jackson for the upcoming 2025 biopic Michael includes two debut actors with strong connections to the King of Pop.

• Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's real-life nephew, makes his acting debut in the upcoming biopic Michael .
• Juliano Krue Valdi portrays young Michael during the Jackson 5 era, showcasing iconic hits like "ABC."
• The film includes strong actors like Miles Teller and could explore darker moments in the King of Pop's career.

The 2025 Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, cast a few notable debut actors to play the legendary King of Pop as his journey to stardom unfolds. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, chronicles the many highs and lows of Michael Jackson's career. This includes his time in the Jackson 5, the creation of many of his legendary songs, and some of the many controversies surrounding the singer both during his career and after his death in 2009 .

The film was announced in 2019 by Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King, who secured the rights to produce a film about Jackson's life. The film was written by John Logan, with the distribution rights acquired by Lionsgate in 2022. The film production was set to begin in mid-2023 but was halted by the SAG-AFTA strikes and was not resumed until early 2024.

Michael Jackson Almost Played Spider-Man Before Tobey Maguire

Michael jackson's real life nephew, jaafar jackson, plays him in michael, micheal is jaafar's debut acting role.

Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle in the Michael Jackson biopic , specifically during the solo portion of his career. Jaafar is the second-youngest son of Jermaine Jackson, Michael's brother and former bandmate. While this may be Jaafar's first acting role, he does have a few musical accomplishments like his uncle , including his single "Got Me Singing" and the covers he has done of songs by Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. He has also been featured in a few other projects with his family, including the series The Jacksons: Next Generation and the "Love One Another" music video for Tito Jackson.

Young Michael Jackson Is Played By Juliano Krue Valdi In The 2025 Movie

Juliano Krue Valdi plays the King of Pop during his time in the Jackson 5. The 9-year-old Valdi was an admirer of Jackson's, stating that he loved the late singer's energy , demonstrating that love on TikTok as he danced in Times Square dressed as Jackson to promote the film. Valdi depicts Jackson in his younger years as he and his family created hits such as "ABC" and "I Want You Back" before Jackson became a solo music entertainer later in life.

The remaining cast for Michael includes Miles Teller, who plays one of Jackson's attorneys, John Branca, who also acted as Jackson's manager for a time. This reflects King's desire for the biopic to explore Michael Jackson's darker moments, such as his financial decline and the controversy surrounding his final will and testament, as Branca was largely involved. Other cast members include The Color Purple star Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson with Tre Horton, Rhyan Hill, and Joseph David-Jones cast as the remaining members of the Jackson 5 in their later years.

Michael is, at the time of writing, set to premiere on April 18, 2025.

Michael Jackson Biopic Director Says Movie Will Not Avoid Controversies of the Pop Icon

The director of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic says “the good, bad, and the ugly” facts of the star’s life will be told.

• The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic will not shy away from examining the highs and lows of his career, tackling the controversial aspects head-on.
• Unlike many documentaries on Jackson, the film has the support of Jackson's estate, allowing the director to tell a factual story while letting viewers form their own opinions.
• The movie will undoubtedly generate strong reactions from fans, as Jackson remains a legendary figure in the music world, with many fans refusing to believe rumors and stories about him.

The upcoming biopic of controversial musical megastar Michael Jackson will not hold back on looking at the highs and lows of the icon’s career. Michael will be the latest big budget biography movies to profile one of the biggest stars in music history, following the likes of Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocket Man and Elvis. According to director Antoine Fuqua, the movie will not be sugar coating the darker moments in the star’s career.

Michael may not be about to bypass the scandals that surrounded Jackson, but unlike many documentaries on the subject, the film has the backing of Jackson’s estate. This could have made it harder for Fuqua to tell the full story of the singer’s life, but it seems that the main focus will be on facing the rougher parts of Jackson’s life head on in a factual way, which allows viewers to then make up their own mind about how they digest the information. Fuqua told Good Morning America :

"He was a great artist. And, he was human. So, we’re gonna show the good, bad, and the ugly... [We'll] just tell Michael based on the facts that I have. Me and Graham King, the producer who did Bohemian Rhapsody, we're going to tell the facts as we know it, and it's for the audience to make a decision how they feel about Michael, but we're going to tell the facts as we know it."

Related: Joseph Fiennes Regrets Playing Michael Jackson: 'It Was a Wrong Decision'

Michael Will Generate Strong Reactions From Fans

Michael Jackson is still regarded as one of the greatest musical icons of all time. From his inimitable vocals to visually stunning music videos, the one-time member of The Jackson 5 created himself a legendary status in the world of music that has lived on beyond his death. There are many fans out there who refuse to believe any of the rumors and stories that have circulated about the musician, and will no doubt have a strong opinion about the movie and its depiction of their hero.

The movie will star Jackson’s real-life nephew , Jaafar Jackson, as the singer, but so far there have been few other details revealed about when the movie is likely to be released, or indeed made in the current Hollywood strike predicament. For Fuqua, who also directed the upcoming release of The Equalizer 3 , the musical biopic is one that will allow him to continue a strong relationship with music that has been at the heart of his career from the start. He previously said:

“The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am. For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.”

Michael currently has no release date scheduled.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Thriller 40

Follows the making of Michael Jackson's record-breaking album "Thriller". Follows the making of Michael Jackson's record-breaking album "Thriller". Follows the making of Michael Jackson's record-breaking album "Thriller".

• Nelson George
• Michael Jackson
• Steve Barron
• 21 User reviews
• 2 Critic reviews

• (archive footage)

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia Special Screen was held in different cities around the world on the actual 40th anniversary day of the Thriller album release.

Usher : And bring all of these elements together... dance and choreography and theatrical moments and the feeling, you know, like a musical, damn near. The magic of it... each track was better than the next. It was in your brain, and everybody knew it.

User reviews 21

• mandelaalum
• Dec 4, 2023
• December 2, 2023 (United States)
• United States
• Company Name
• Estate of Michael Jackson
• Sony Music Entertainment
• See more company credits at IMDbPro

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 30 minutes

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