Michael: The Michael Jackson Biopic from Antoine Fuqua, Starring Jaafar Jackson | October 3, 2025

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Michael Jackson Nephew Jaafar Jackson To Play King Of Pop In Antoine Fuqua-Directed Biopic
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Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon's 26-year old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film biopic for Lionsgate. Fuqua just posted a confirmation on Instagram. The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson, who is the brother of Michael and member of The Jackson 5. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals.

As Deadline revealed last week, the Emancipation helmer signed on to next direct Michael, which has a script by John Logan. The film's being produced by Graham King, who turned the Freddie Mercury Queen story into the blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody. GK Films will produce alongside the co-executors of Jackson's estate, John Branca and John McClain.
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OmegaK2099

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On point casting, gonna need heavy prosthetics for the Dangerous era.

I hope they focus on Off the Wall tho
 
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The only way this will work is they focus on just one period of his life. Zooming though his entire life in 2 hours will give us a watered down story. that will fall flat....there is just way too much content.
 
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Lannister said:
Couldn't find an actual actor I see :francis: but then again O'Shea Jackson Jr did a pretty good job as his father so we'll see.
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Really lowkey it could turn out to be a brilliant casting decision


He already looks VERY MUCH like MJ (figures) so they won’t have to worry too much about obsessing over Michael’s many facial changes. Traditional makeup should do the trick to get as close to “look” as possible without it looking like some Flex Alexander monstrosity.

He can sing and he can mimic MJ’s voice to the point where it won’t sound like parody. The last thing you want is for people to be turned off or even worse, laughing during a two hour film because an actot couldn’t quite nail the voice.


Since he’s a Jackson, MJ’s showmanship and natural charisma is already in his blood. He’s just got to tap into it. He’s got the best research sources in his own FATHER and uncles. He was 14 when MJ died, so he’s the ONLY actor theu could have chosen who can say he met and spent time around the man himself, which will prove an invaluable resource.


I think there are more potential Pros than cons in this casting. Most of the time when big movies like this cast an unknown, they surround them with a bunch veterans throughout the rest of the cast, with the goal being that their professionalism and experience will rub off on the younger actor and help them elevate in certain scenes. I feel like, with Jaafar’s casting, this film could fly or sink with who they choose as the supporting cast in 4-5 KEY roles.


You see biopics frequently employee 1-2 supporting characters who were around during the subject’s rise and some of their fall to act as an avatar for the audience. The purpose of this character is to show important circumstances or events where the need requires to step “outside” the main subject’s viewpoint. For example, to show the real world impact of Thriller or the seismic reaction to the Motown 25 performance. These characters in biopics are usually lifelong friends, lovers, or managers.

The issue with MJ is that its hard to pinpoint 1-2 people who were credibly around for the ENTIRE ride. Michael didn’t trust easy and he could be a ruthless businessman who routinely fired managers, agents, and lawyers who fukked up.

But there is ONE person who could serve such a role, and of the producers of the film go in this direction it could potentially serve as the second most important role in the film

Bill Bray




Bill Bray was Michael’s head of security from the time Michael was 12 until around he was 40. He is listed as Head of security for EVERY one of Michael’s adult tours (Triumph, Victory, Bad, Dangerous, HIStory) and he was physically present during many of Michael’s historic moments (Grammy night 1984, Motown 25, the Pepsi burning incident, marriage to Lisa Ann Presley, etc) he and Michael were very close to the point where MJ called him a second father. Getting the right actor for this role should be paramount.




I nominate Jeffrey Wright

 
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