Michael Jackson, King of Pop, whose name itself evokes emotions and memories of his songs and dance steps, died 15 years ago at the age of 50 though some of his fans still think he is alive – there are plenty of theories that support this unverifiable claim that the legendary singer is still living.
The story of Michael Jackson’s life and career is being adapted for the big screen by Lionsgate, a global media entertainment company.
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The company has been working on a biopic about Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, to be titled Michael. Since then, details have continued to unfold about the project, including the actor that would play the titular role.
According to the producer, Graham King, the team engaged in a two-year worldwide casting search before finding the actor who would portray Michael Jackson before it became clear that the only person to take on the role would be Jaafar.
Jafaar is an American singer, dancer, and actor. He is also Michael Jackson’s nephew, the son of Jermaine Jackson.
The biographical movie will cover all aspects of the singer’s life. His triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, are exemplified by his most iconic performances.
The movie will be produced by Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody) and John Branca and John McClain, who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate.
Titled Michael, the forthcoming biopic will be directed by Fuqua, the filmmaker behind 2001’s Oscar-winning Training Day and 2022’s Will Smith-starring Emancipation.
Apart from Jaafar, others assembled who would make this biopic something to look forward to is the team behind the film that is top-notch, with experts in hair and makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, and more coming to bring Michael’s story to life, especially, some of the people who knew and worked directly with Michael are on board for this project.
Alongside is Nia Long, set to play Katherine Jackson, and Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, to play the controversial Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson. Nine-year-old actor Juliano Krue Valdi will portray Michael during his formative years in the Jackson 5.
Jaafar Jackson is the spitting image of his uncle Michael Jackson in a first-look photo from the upcoming biopic Michael shared on Tuesday, 13, February 2024.
In the image, the 27-year-old Jaafar is rocking Michael’s famous look from the 1990s: a white button-up over a white V-neck and black pants, with his hair tied back into a low ponytail as he sings onstage.
“With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael,” producer Graham King said in a statement. “He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.”
“Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers,” Katherine Jackson, mother of Michael Jackson, previously said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
According to Antoine Fuqua, “But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through magically. You have to experience it to believe it.”
The first-look image was captured by photographer Kevin Mazur, who captured images of Michael Jackson’s tours in the 1980s and 1990s and the rehearsals as he prepared to entertain the world with his “This Is It” concerts.
“When I arrived for my first day on the set of this movie, I was so excited – it was like the first time I went on tour to shoot Michael Jackson,” said Mazur.
“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. Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, ‘Wow, it is Michael,’ ” added Mazur.
“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.”
The uncanny resemblance between Jaafar and Michael was also on full display in Los Angeles on Thursday. Jaafar was spotted on set in a white dress shirt with a black tie, black pants, high white socks, and black shoes. He also rocked the icon’s signature curly black hair.
Michael will hit the theatres on April 18, 2025. That’s when we’ll get to see Jaafar take on the role of a lifetime and bring his uncle’s legacy to the silver screen.
As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.
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