MICHAEL JACKSON BIOPIC FIRST LOOK IMAGE OF JAAFAR JACKSON AS KING OF POP
Written by Randy C on February 15, 2024
It’s safe to say casting Jaafar Jackson as his uncle Michael Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming biopic, Michael, was a smart choice thus far from a resemblance standpoint.
Jaafar Jackson is playing the king of pop, during his iconic 1992-1993 Dangerous Tour. The first look image was taken by photographer Kevin Mazur and he captured quite the shot. Alongside Jaafar, Michael stars Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Juliano Krue Valdi in his debut in film as the younger Michael Jackson.
As reported by Shadow and Act, in a statement from Universal Pictures International, the studio said “[t]he choice to have Mazur capture the first-look photograph of Jaafar Jackson is as intentional as so many of the artistic choices the producers have made.”
“As one of the photographers who documented Michael over many years, Mazur captured rehearsals as he prepared to entertain the world with his ‘This Is It’ concerts. He is now also the first to photograph Jaafar Jackson in character as Michael,” furthermore from the studio.
Mazur added, “When I arrived for my first day on the set of this movie, I was so excited–it was like the first time I went on tour to shoot Michael Jackson. When I walked onto the set, I felt like I’d gone back in time and I was walking into the stadium to shoot the tour. Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, ‘Wow, it is Michael.’ The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything–he’s Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn’t have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime–this is how it was.” Producer Graham King said, “With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael. He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.”
Director Antoine Fuqua stated “assembled an incredible team of artists for this project–hair & makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything–and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film.”
“But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael,” Fuqua said. “It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it.”
In addition to Universal Pictures International, Michael is also produced by Lionsgate, and the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate John Branca and John McClain. The film will hit theaters on April 18, 2025.
