Director Antoine Fuqua confirms the casting of Jermaine Jackson's son as the late singer by sharing a photo of the 26-year-old son emulating the King of Pop.
- Jan 31, 2023
AceShowbiz - Michael Jackson biopic has found its lead star in no further than his inner circle. His nephew Jaafar Jackson has been cast as the late singer in Lionsgate's upcoming film "Michael", which will be directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Confirming the news, Fuqua took to Instagram to share a picture of the 26-year-old emulating his late uncle. In the black-and-white image, the son of Michael's elder brother Jermaine Jackson is seen wearing outfit similar to the one MJ sported in his "Billie Jean" era while dancing in front of mirrors.
"Proud to announce @jaafarjackson as Michael - the motion picture event that explores the journey of the man who became the King of Pop," the filmmaker captioned the snap, promising that the movie is "coming soon."
Fuqua also said in a statement, "It's incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life. 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."
Michael's mother Katherine Jackson has given her blessing to her grandson playing her famous son. "Jaafar embodies my son. It's so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers," she shared.
Graham King, who will produce the movie, went on gushing about the young performer. "I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael," he said. "It was something so powerful that even after conducting a worldwide search, it was clear that he is the only person to take on this role. I am beyond thrilled that he has come on board to portray his uncle and cannot wait for the world to see him on the big screen as Michael Jackson."
Jaafar has been singing and dancing since the age of 12. He has showcased his vocals with covers of Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye's songs, in addition to performing original songs.
Three-time Oscar nominee John Logan is penning the script of "Michael". The film is expected to depict the complicated legacy of the man who became known as the King of Pop. According to Lionsgate, the film will explore all aspects of his life, "including his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time."
