Jaafar Jackson shows off iconic Michael Jackson dance move as he prepares to film biopic
An upcoming Michael Jackson biopic starring his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as the King of Pop will start filming soon.
Jaafar Jackson, 27, shared on Friday that "the journey starts Monday #Michaelmovie" in an Instagram post caption. The accompanying black-and-white photo shows Jackson pulling off his uncle's iconic move of standing on his toes.
The director of "Michael," Antoine Fuqua, shared the photo to his Instagram Story — as did Lionsgate, the studio distributing the film. GK Films, which is producing the movie, re-posted the photo and caption to its own Instagram account.
The official Instagram account for Michael Jackson also posted the picture, with the added caption: "He’s ready! #MichaelMovie." Michael Jackson's estate is also producing the film.
Nine-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will portray a young Michael Jackson
The news of the start of "Michael's" production comes on the heels of the movie's latest casting announcement. Juliano Krue Valdi, 9, is set to portray a young Michael Jackson, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International announced Thursday.
"Valdi will play the young Michael Jackson as he and his brothers rise to fame as the Jackson 5," Lionsgate said in its press release.
"Michael" will release worldwide on April 18, 2025, Lionsgate said in the press release. The film "presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances."
Principal photography begins next week, according to the studio.
Who is Jaafar Jackson?
Almost exactly a year ago, it was announced that Jaafar Jackson was chosen to portray his uncle in the biopic. He's the second youngest son of Jermaine Jackson, Michael's brother and former Jackson 5 member. Michael Jackson, whose career spanned global hits and persistent scandal, died in 2009 at age 50.
"Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers," Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson's mother, said in a statement provided by Lionsgate Films last year.
Added producer Graham King, whose credits include the Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody": “I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael. It was something so powerful that even after conducting a worldwide search, it was clear that he is the only person to take on this role."
In August, a California appeals court revived lawsuits from Wade Robson and James Safechuck — who were featured in the 2019 HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland" — who allege Michael Jackson sexually abused them for years when they were boys.
A three-judge panel found that a lower court should not have dismissed Robson and Safechuck's lawsuits and that the men can validly claim that the Michael Jackson-owned corporations that were named as defendants in the cases had a responsibility to protect them from sexual abuse.
Jonathan Steinsapir, an attorney for the Jackson estate, said in an August statement to The Associated Press that "we remain fully confident that Michael is innocent of these allegations."
What we know so far:Who's involved with Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic
Contributing: Marco della Cava, USA TODAY; Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press