AceShowbiz - Nia Long has been added to the onscreen Jackson family. The actress has been confirmed as the latest addition to the cast of an upcoming Michael Jackson biopic titled "Michael" to portray the family matriarch Katherine Jackson.

Feeling honored to take on the role, the actress gushed over Michael's mother in a statement. "Katherine Jackson is an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family," she said in the statement issued on Tuesday, January 30. "As a mother, she was selfless and endured forces beyond her control yet still managed to help build a legacy beyond measure. I am honored to bring her voice to the screen and share Michael Jackson's story with audiences everywhere."

Director Antoine Fuqua admitted he has been a fan of Nia, citing her "iconic performances throughout her career." The filmmaker shared, "I've been a fan for a long time because her characters stay with you. I'm excited to now work alongside her as she pours all of that into Katherine Jackson: a woman who was the glue, the rock, and the heart of the Jackson family during its best and its most turbulent times."

Producer Graham King added, "Beyond Nia's incredible talent, I was deeply moved by her connection to the material and her commitment to honoring Katherine and the love she had for her son."

The official Instagram page of GK Films also shared the news by posting a screenshot of Deadline's article about Nia's casting and captioning it, "We are honored and proud to announce the amazing, Nia Long to join our cast of MICHAEL as Katherine Jackson."

A 4-time NAACP Image Award winner, Nia rose to prominence after starring in the film "Boyz n the Hood" (1991). She is also best known for her portrayal of Beullah "Lisa" Wilkes on the NBC sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1991-1995). Her other acting credits include films like "The Best Man" (1999) and "Big Momma's House" (2000) as well as TV series "Third Watch" (2003-2005) and "NCIS: Los Angeles" (2017-2018).

The 53-year-old is joining Michael's nephew Jaafar Jackson, who has been cast as the late King of Pop, and Colman Domingo, who was recently tapped to portray the family patriarch Joe Jackson. Meanwhile, 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi, who is a big fan of Michael, is set to play a young version of the late singer.

Per the official logline, " 'Michael' will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop. 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."

The film is set to be released in the United States on April 18, 2025, with production currently underway.