Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson was the spitting image of the late King of Pop in an astonishing new snap from hotly-anticipated biopic, Michael.
Jaafar, 27, looked identical to MJ in a black curly wig and sporting facial prosthetics as he performed onstage for the film.
Jaafar wore a white vest top, matching shirt and black trousers as he belted out a track – with the young star looking unrecognizable in the snap.
Colman Domingo, 54, who stars as Mister in The Color Purple, will tackle the role of patriarch Joe Jackson, who died in 2018 – while Nia Long, 53, will play Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson.
Michael is slated for an April 18, 2025 theatrical release in the United States, according to Deadline, while Universal handles overseas distribution.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua with a screenplay written by John Logan, the biographical musical drama follows the life and four-decade career of Michael Jackson, who was one of eight Jackson children, five of which comprised the original pop sensation, the Jackson 5.
Logan, 62, has a long proven track record as a playwright and filmmaker, writing or co-writing the likes of Gladiator (2000), The Aviator (2004), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (2007), Hugo (2011) and the James Bond 007 films Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015).
According to Lionsgate, the film will delve into all aspects of Michael’s life, although it’s unknown how or if the more scandalous controversies of his life, including allegations of child sexual abuse, will be addressed, considering the fact that the biopic is being made in conjunction with the singer’s estate.
‘Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop, the official synopsis reads.
‘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.’
After production for the film was delayed this past year due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, the main photography is now set to begin on January 22.
Bohemian Rhapsody’s Graham King is among the producers working on the project that also includes John Branca and John McClain, who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate.
The Billie Jean singer passed away from an accidental overdose of prescription medication in 2009 at age 50.
The young actor and singer posted a black and white photo of himself dressed as the late superstar, on January 19, writing ‘The journey starts Monday, ‘ referring to the January 22 start date.
The movie is expected to be ready for release in April 2025.
The Boys in the Hood star will be telling her own life story in her upcoming memoir.
In a statement released on social media announcing the deal, the author described what readers might expect. ‘My steps to finding divine purpose have been thoughtful and intentional.’
‘For better or worse, you will find truth and transparency in the storytelling, sprinkled with ’90s nostalgia.’
‘I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life,’ Jaafar wrote on Instagram on January 30, 2023. ‘To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon.’
The singer and songwriter, who has been singing and dancing since age 12, is the son of former Jackson 5 member and solo act Jermaine Jackson, 69.
‘It’s uncanny how much he’s like Michael … sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really uncanny,’ Fuqua said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
‘Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away.’
Fuqua is coming off directing his third installment of The Equalizer franchise starring Denzel Washington for Sony Pictures.
His prior feature, the Will Smith slavery drama Emancipation, was released by Apple in 2022.
Thrust into the spotlight as a child, Michael Jackson was just six-years-old when he and his older siblings made their debut as the Jackson 5 in 1964.
Jackson released 10 studio albums as a solo artist from 1972 to 2001, which comes off the heels of the 10 studio recordings he did as the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons from 1969 to 1975.
During his four-decade career, Michael’s contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture.
With 32 million copies sold worldwide by the end of 1983, Jackson’s Thriller had the distinction of being the best-selling studio album of all time, and was ratified by Guinness World Records on February 7, 1984.
In the years since the 1980s, Thriller has gone on to solidify itself as the best-selling album of all time with more than 70 million copies sold worldwide.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
