After several documentaries that narrated Michael Jackson’s life from various perspectives, his much-awaited biopic has finally got a release date. The film, titled Michael, is produced by Jackson’s estate co-executors, John Branca and John McClain, and stars his nephew, Jaafar Jackson. This collaborative effort by his close associates aims to present Jackson in a more positive light, countering his negative image in the media due to child abuse allegations.
Fans of the Moonwalker are also satisfied that the film is supported by his family. Jaafar Jackson became a musician at the age of 12, following in his uncle’s footsteps. Michael will be his acting debut in films. The Equalizer 3 director, Antoine Fuqua, will helm the project.
Michael Jackson’s Biopic Will Star His Nephew Jaafar Jackson
According to Deadline, Michael Jackson’s biopic is scheduled to hit theatres on April 18, 2025. The script of Michael is handled by John Logan of Skyfall and Spectre fame. Graham King, the producer of Bohemian Rhapsody, will produce the film along with John Branca and John McClain. The Antoine Fuqua-directed film will follow Jackson’s journey to the top of the music world, exploring his personal struggles, triumphs, and tragedies along the way.
Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine Jackson, is set to portray his uncle in the film. Fans on X have expressed their satisfaction with the casting. The first thing fans noticed was the uncanny resemblance between the two, with one fan even commenting that Jaafar Jackson looks like the Dangerous singer from his Thriller days.
Another fan mentioned that casting a family member made more sense than any outside Hollywood actor. However, one comment pointed out that the Smooth Criminal singer was a complicated man who lived through a struggling life, making it difficult to accurately portray him. This particular fan doubted whether a new actor like Jaafar Jackson could pull off such an acting range. Several fan reactions read:
I’m glad they used his family member instead of using a weird Hollywood actor
— 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘🇳🇬ᴺᴹ (@RamatVictory) January 11, 2024
let’s hope he can actually act cuz MJ hasn’t exactly lived an easy life and this won’t be an easy role
— Satyam Patel | 𝕏… (@SatyamInsights) January 11, 2024
What a resemblance
— First Lady (@Tochi_Okenwa) January 11, 2024
Finally some common sense! Is he Jermaine’s son coz the resemblance. I will be looking forward to this.
— ⟭⟬🌳✨NamuKoree ⁷⁼¹ 🐳✨Goomooshin wife ⟬⟭ 🔍⍤⃝🔎 (@namukoree) January 11, 2024
Okay! Good decision
— Rutuja K (@Rutuk609) January 11, 2024
Universal announced Michael’s release date following the indefinite delay of their project The Exorcist – The Deceiver, originally slated for the same date. The Exorcist film series lost its director when David Gordon Green, who directed the first film, departed the sequel due to commitments to multiple projects.
Antoine Fuqua Believes Jaafar Jackson Will Be The Perfect Michael Jackson
Antoine Fuqua joined the Michael project after directing Denzel Washington in The Equalizer 3. Fuqua appeared for an interview with EW in August 2023 and commented about Jaafar Jackson’s casting in Michael. He shared that when producer Graham King introduced Jackson, he was blown away by the uncanny resemblance to Michael Jackson. Fuqua noted that the young singer sounds, dances, and sings like the Beat It singer. Fuqua told EW:
“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.”
Fuqua also revealed in his interview that the film would present the facts about Jackson “as we know it”. He shared that he would also tackle the controversies surrounding the singer. Jackson faced multiple allegations of child s*xual abuse during his lifetime and he denied them all. He was tried and found not guilty of child m*lestation in 2003.
Also Read: Michael Jackson Went to Extreme Lengths to Play a Marvel Hero Who Made MCU Debut Just a Year Ago
The pop icon died in 2009 at the age of 50 from a cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose. His personal physician, Conrad Murray, faced a prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter.
