US director Antoine Fuqua has found the leading actor for his planned film about the life of pop star Michael Jackson. None other than the nephew of the “King of Pop”, Jaafar Jackson, who died in 2009, is said to play the leading role.

Jaafar Jackson (26) will play his late uncle Michael Jackson (1958-2009) in the upcoming biopic titled “Michael”. Director Antoine Fuqua (57) announced this via Instagram. The 26-year-old is the son of Jermaine Jackson (68), brother of Michael Jackson and a former member of the band The Jackson Five. Michael will be Jaafar Jackson’s first major film role.

“We’re proud to announce Jaafar Jackson as Michael – the movie event that explores the journey of the man who became the King of Pop,” the filmmaker wrote alongside a black and white photo showing the young actor from behind hat and in a dance pose typical of his late uncle.

Jaafar Jackson also published the photo on his Instagram profile. “I am honored and humbled to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all fans around the world: we’ll see each other again soon,” he said.

The Hollywood Reporter recently reported that Fuqua will serve as director. The script, on the other hand, was written by John Logan (61). “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King (61) is on board as a producer, as well as John Branco and John McClain, who help manage Jackson’s estate. “The first films of my career were music videos and I still feel like film and music are a big part of me,” The Hollywood Reporter quoted Faqua as saying.

In the 1990s, Fuqua produced music videos for Prince (1958-2016), Queen Latifah (52), Stevie Wonder (72) and Usher (44), among others. As a film director he directed the historical film “Emancipation” and as a producer he was involved in the action comedy “Bullet Train”. The film studio Lionsgate already confirmed in February 2022 that a biopic about the “King of Pop” was in the works.

The biopic aims to show an “in-depth portrait of the complicated man who became the King of Pop. It will bring Jackson’s most iconic performances to life and provide an in-depth look at the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life. The film chronicles Jackson’s beginnings with the band The Jackson Five and his rise to superstardom, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Filming on “Michael” will begin in 2023.

Michael Jackson died in 2009 at the age of 50. He is one of the most successful artists of all time. He is said to have sold an estimated 400 million records. He had 13 number one singles on the Billboard charts. There are also numerous Grammys and Brit Awards as well as a Golden Globe.

This article was written by (amw/spot)

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