Michael Jackson Biopic is Moonwalking into 2025
That’s right, the age of biopics is far from over. Now, a new biopic about the late pop star Michael Jackson is coming in 2025. The film is beginning production later this month and the cast has been set. Antoine Fuqua is directing the film, which keeps it in the Jackson family. Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson will star in the film. He is the son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine Jackson.
Fuqua said about the casting choice, “It’s uncanny how much [Jaafar is] like Michael. Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really uncanny. Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away.”
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Additionally, an actor for young Jackson has been cast. 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will play Jackson during his Jackson 5 years. It seems a role perfect for Valdi who often shares videos of himself moonwalking and impersonating Jackson on social media. He said in a statement, “This opportunity is really important to me because Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, and he is very special in my heart. I’ve been dancing to his songs for five years now. He makes me feel really special and makes me feel good about myself. I love the energy of Michael Jackson.”
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Colman Domingo has been cast as the patriarch of the family, Joe Jackson and Miles Teller has been cast as one of the attorneys who defended Jackson. Larenz Tate has been cast as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Kat Graham has been cast as Diana Ross, Jessica Sula has been cast as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone has been cast as Gladys Knight, Kendrick Sampson has been cast as Quincy Jones, KeiLyn Durrel Jones has been cast as Bill Bray, and Kevin Shinick has been cast as Dick Clark.
The film, set for a premiere date of April 18, 2025, will be released domestically and internationally. The plot of the film reads, “Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, exemplified by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.”
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While the film will showcase Jackson’s entire life, it is currently unknown if it will address any of the controversies surrounding his life. Just a few years ago, the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, talked about his controversies including the allegations of child molestation.
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Love him or hate him, Jackson was an icon in pop music, and in 2022, MJ: The Musical premiered on Broadway which showcased his preparation for the memorable 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The show was a huge success and earned four Tony Awards.
Fans attending CinemaCon this year got a sneak peek of the film. Producer Graham King also spoke about the movie and shared, “It is a story worthy of a cinematic presentation. For the first time, fans and generations of moviegoers will come together to get an inside look into the most prolific artist who ever lived. Michael Jackson was an enigma, full of eccentricities and … talent.” He added that Jackson was “simply a man who lived a very complicated life. The movie will get into all of it including over 30 songs spanning his career … his life on stage and his life out of the public eye.”
Will you be watching the new Michael Jackson biopic in 2025?
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Pop Music Legends
August 2017
Dedicated to the sights, sounds and stories of the golden age of pop.
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