Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson, has been chosen to portray the King of Pop in the upcoming biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King.
According to Shadow and Act, the 26-year-old singer, who is the son of Jermaine Jackson, will take on the lead role in the film, which promises to provide an unprecedented look into the complex life of the legendary entertainer.
The film will also take a fair and honest approach in tackling the allegations of child sexual abuse that surfaced later in Jackson’s life. The upcoming biopic on Michael Jackson will continue the trend of previous films about his life, such as the 1992 TV movie “The Jacksons: An American Dream” and 2004’s “Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story.”
In a statement, the studio said, “Michael will give audiences the never-before-told and in-depth portrayal of the complicated man who became the King of Pop. The film will explore all aspects of Michael’s life, including his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time.”
Jackson’s mother Katherine Jackson told S&A, “Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.”
Jackson, who was born in Indiana in 1958, gained fame as a child star with his brothers in The Jackson 5 before going on to become a musical icon in his own right. He won 13 Grammys, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, and earned the nickname “The King of Pop” thanks to his solo hits like “Billie Jean,” “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Smooth Criminal.”
The project is being co-produced by the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Logan, known for his work on “The Aviator” and “Gladiator,” will pen the screenplay.
“It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life,” Fuqua said to S&A. “There was such a spiritual connection when I first met Jaafar, who has a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera.”
Jaafar’s singing voice bears a striking resemblance to his uncle’s, and he seems like the perfect fit for the role. Check out his music video for “Got Me Singing” below:
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