Director Antoine Fuqua's upcoming Michael Jackson biopic has found its King of Pop.
Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon’s 26-year-old nephew Jaafar Jackson.
The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson, who is the brother of Michael and a member of The Jackson 5.
Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals.
Lionsgate is the studio behind the project and is set to distribute the movie worldwide.
Principal photography is set to begin sometime this year.
The movie will be produced by Graham King, Oscar-winner for “The Departed” (2006), and three-time nominee for “The Aviator” (2004), “Hugo” (2011) and “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018), which won four Oscars including best actor for Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.
“Michael” is written by “Skyfall” scribe John Logan and is said to give audiences the never-before-told and in-depth portrayal of the 12-time Grammy Award winner and world-renowned music icon.
The biopic will explore all aspects of Michael’s life, including his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time. Logan has assembled three Oscar noms for “Gladiator” (2000), “The Aviator” and “Hugo.”
Jackson, born on August 29, 1958, rose to fame as a young child, fronting the Jackson 5 before conquering pop culture and becoming the most iconic pop singer of all time.
The “Thriller” singer died in June 2009 of a cardiac arrest brought on by an accidental drug overdose. He was 50 years old.
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