Face Forward International 10th Annual Gala "Highlands To The Hills" - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: La Toya Jackson (L) and Jaafar Jackson arrive for the Face Forward International 10th Annual Gala "Highlands To The Hills" on September 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images) Michael Jackson 1983: Portrait of American pop star Michael Jackson wearing a red leather jacket at the opening of the stage musical, 'Dream Girls,' Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images)
Lionsgate has taken on the challenge of portraying the legendary Michael Jackson in an upcoming self-titled biopic. And the lead actor, Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, is already creating some buzz around the project. The 26-year-old singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson.
Posed in a classic Michael move and style, Jaafar reacted to the casting on his Instagram feed. He wrote:
“I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans over the world, I’ll see you soon.”
According to Deadline, Antoine Fuqua, director of films like Emancipation and Training Day, will be in charge of directing the Jackson biopic. Fuqua confirmed the news on his Insta-page as well. John Logan is in charge of the script. Graham Knight, GK Films, and the co-executors of Michael Jackson’s estate John Branca and John McClain will co-produce the project.
If you didn’t know, Michael’s estate ended up in the hands of Jackson’s entertainment lawyer Branca and music executive McClain based on a 2002 will. The document was the only will available following Jackson’s sudden death at 50 on June 25, 2009.
Deadline reports that Jaafar has been singing and dancing since he was 12 years old. While the film will highlight Jackson’s rise to fame, it reportedly won’t avoid the controversies that followed, including pedophile accusations.
No word on a release date for the biopic, and per Deadline, the film might still be seeking an offshore partner to launch. Sony may be involved, per the outlet’s sources.
Taj Jackson, the first child of Tito Jackson, responded positively to the news on Twitter–celebrating his cousin’s talents.
He tweeted:
“They found the perfect and only person who could play my uncle in this Biopic. I cried with pride after seeing Jaafar’s makeup/hair screen test yesterday. Not only did he embody Michael Jackson…he had the tone, voice cadence, the mannerisms, EVERYTHING!”
Last August, Taj received media coverage after he called out Rolling Stone for naming Harry Styles the ‘new King of Pop,’ a title MJ fans have long protected in his passing. Taj argued that the title has been retired, given Jackson’s “decades of dedication and sacrifice.”
