Michael Jackson’s nephew bears a striking resemblance to the musician.
A look at the set from “Michael” might lead some to believe that the King of Pop himself has returned. But behind the striking resemblance is not an AI version of Michael Jackson, but his nephew Jaafar Jackson. With hardly any acting experience, he takes on the leading role in this film project, which is scheduled to open in cinemas on April 18, 2025.
Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, the older brother of the musician who died in 2009, was chosen for the role of his uncle after a casting. The first published photo from the film shows the 27-year-old in the “Man in the Mirror” look known from the “Dangerous World Tour”.
For comparison – Michael Jackson during his tour, early 1990s:
Experienced filmmakers for the biopic
The film, simply titled “Michael,” aims to show the musician’s triumphs and tragedies. Space is given to “his human side and personal problems right through to his undeniable creative genius,” as it says in a statement.
The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua, who most recently directed the documentary “What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali” (2019) and “Rob Peace,” which will premiere soon. The producer of the Michael Jackson film is Graham King, who, among other things, was involved in the Queen film “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018).
The screenplay is provided by John Logan, who, in addition to two “James Bond” films, also wrote “Gladiator” (2000) and has already been awarded an Oscar three times.