Work on the film set is in progress “Michael”, which will tell about the life of the king of pop. The production will be handled by Hollywood studios Universal and Lionsgate, and he will sit in the director’s chair Antoine Fuqua (“Without Mercy”, “Olympus Has Fallen”, “King Arthur”).
The author of the script is John Logan (“Skyfall”), and the producers include representatives of Michael Jackson’s heirs and GrahamKingresponsible for such cinema hits as “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Aviator”, “The Departed” and “Tomb Raider”.
According to the website “Deadline”, the crew of the film about Michael Jackson will consist of over 420 people.
“No other artist had such strength, charisma and musical genius as Michael Jackson. Watching his works inspired me to start making music videos – he was the first black artist to be featured on MTV. His music and these images became part of my worldview. “I couldn’t refuse the offer to tell his story on the big screen with music to accompany it,” Fuqua said.
“It’s a great honor to tell Michael’s story. Audiences will see a Michael like they’ve never seen before,” added the film’s producer Graham King.
The artist’s 27-year-old nephew was cast as Michael Jackson. Jaafar Jackson, who has been dancing and singing since he was twelve. The producers and crew cannot praise it highly enough.
“It’s amazing how much he resembles Michael. He sounds like him, dances like him, sings like him. I was stunned when I met him,” Antoine Fuqua confessed in one of the interviews.
Young Michael will be played by Juliano Krue Valdi.
We also learned the names of the actors who will play the other members of Jackson 5 at different stages of their lives.
Jamal R. Henderson and Jayden Harville will play Jermaine Jackson, Tre Horton and Jaylen Lyndon Hunger will play Marlon, Rhyan Hill and Judah Edwards will play Tito, and Joseph David-Jones and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre will play Jackie.
The cast of “Michael” also includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine, and Miles Teller as the artist’s lawyer, John Branca.
The film will focus on the most important events in Jackson’s career, from his time as the frontman of Jackson 5 to becoming the biggest star in the world. Despite cooperation with the musician’s heirs, “Michael” is intended to address all difficult topics related to the artist and not avoid controversial threads from his life, including: accusations of pedophilia.
The premiere of “Michael” is scheduled for April 18, 2025.