Jaafar Jackson

The upcoming biopic 'Michael' will star Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, director Antoine Fuqua announced Monday.

A decade after Jackson's 2009 death at the age of 50, those allegations were explored in the HBO documentary [Leaving Neverland](https://ew.com/tv-reviews/2019/02/21/leaving-neverland-review/), in which Wade Robson and James Safechuck alleged that Jackson sexually molested them for years when they were children. [Deadline](https://deadline.com/2023/01/michael-jackson-nephew-jaafar-jackson-portray-king-of-pop-in-antoine-fuqua-directed-movie-lionsgate-1235244128/) reports that the film "will not shy away from the controversies of Jackson's life," most notably the multiple allegations of child sexual abuse (for which Jackson was tried and acquitted in 2005). [Baz Luhrmann](http://ew.com/person/baz-luhrmann/)'s [Elvis](https://ew.com/creative-work/elvis/), for example, netted [eight Oscar nominations](https://ew.com/awards/oscars/2023-oscar-nominations-full-list/) last week, with star [Austin Butler](http://ew.com/person/austin-butler/) a strong contender to win Best Actor. In 2019, [Rami Malek](https://ew.com/person/rami-malek/) earned that very trophy for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in [Bohemian Rhapsody](https://ew.com/movies/2018/11/01/bohemian-rhapsody-review/). Coming soon," Fuqua wrote alongside a photo of Jaafar practicing some of Michael's legendary moves in a very familiar outfit. [Antoine Fuqua](https://ew.com/person/antoine-fuqua/) ( [Emancipation](https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/emancipation-review-will-smith-antoine-fuqua/)) revealed on Instagram Monday morning that Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will play the iconic musician in the upcoming Michael.

Graham King (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) will produce alongside John Branca and John McClain who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate. John Logan (“ ...

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.” It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers”. Graham King (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) will produce alongside John Branca and John McClain who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate.

A planned biopic about Michael Jackson will star his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the title role of a film directed by Antoine Fuqua.

In 2005, Jackson, who had always maintained his innocence, was acquitted of all charges. The screenplay is being worked on by John Logan, who wrote Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning "Gladiator." The planned biopic, which is slated to begin production this year, has a number of Hollywood veterans involved. In 2003, after raiding his home, Neverland Ranch, authorities arrested Jackson on child molestation charges. Added producer Graham King, whose credits include the Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody": “I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael. In 2019, he released his first sing called "Got Me Singing," which was accompanied by a video that was shot in Brazil.

A new biopic on Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua will see Jackson's own 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, star as the King Of Pop.

Earlier this month, executives at Lionsgate announced that Antoine Fuqua had signed on to direct the project, to be titled Michael.

"I'm humbled and honoured to bring my Uncle Michael's story to life. Earlier this month, executives at Lionsgate announced that Antoine Fuqua had signed on to direct the project, to be titled Michael. Taking to Instagram on Monday, Jaafar announced that he would be portraying his late uncle in the film.

Jaafar Jackson, 26, will step into the late singer's iconic shoes as he appears in Lionsgate's upcoming biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced ...

On Instagram, Jaafar said: "I'm humbled and honoured to bring my Uncle Michael's story 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." Jaafar was selected for the role after a worldwide casting search, and King said: "It was clear that he is the only person to take on this role."

This news won't quash ever-growing talks of nepo-babies… Then again, who better to play Michael Jackson in the upcoming biopic Michael than his nephew?

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.” Filming on Michael is due to begin later this year. “It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life,” said Fuqua.

The singer's 26-year-old nephew Jaafar Jackson has landed the lead role in Michael, with Antoine Fuqua on board to direct.

King is producing Michael with John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors of Jackson’s estate. “I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael,” King said. Announcing the role, Jaafar described himself as “humbled and honored”.

Canadian-American entertainment company Lionsgate announced on Monday that Jackson's 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will star in the upcoming biopic ...

He has released music in the past and has a strikingly similar high tenor to his uncle. “I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael,” King said. Jaafar was chosen for the role after a worldwide casting search.

After a 'worldside search' the creators of the new film landed a little closer to home for the lead role. Martha Alexander finds out why the 26-year-old is ...

“I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael,” said Graham King. In fact, the producers undertook a global search to find their Michael Jackson. The black and white shot shows Jaafar dancing in white socks, loafers and a trilby — his uncle’s trademark get up. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.” In total, Jaafar has eight siblings — one of whom is the brilliantly-named Jermajesty. After a ‘worldside search’ the creators of the new film landed a little closer to home for the lead role.