Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael Jackson in the upcoming biopic Michael , directed by Antoine Fuqua and set for release on April 24, 2026.

His nephew brings family authenticity to the role, capturing the King of Pop's iconic mannerisms from the Victory Tour era onward, with filming wrapped in May 2024.

Casting Highlights

Jaafar Jackson leads as the adult Michael, while Juliano Krue Valdi portrays the younger version, blending prosthetics and CGI for transformative scenes like Thriller.

The ensemble honors the Jackson family dynamics:

  • Colman Domingo as strict father Joe Jackson
  • Nia Long as nurturing mother Katherine Jackson
  • Supporting brothers: Joseph David-Jones/Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (Jackie), Jamal R. Henderson/Jayden Harville (Jermaine), and others for Marlon and Tito

Role| Actor(s)| Notes
---|---|---
Michael Jackson (adult)| Jaafar Jackson| Nephew debut, family resemblance praised 13
Young Michael| Juliano Krue Valdi| Early Jackson 5 years 37
Joe Jackson| Colman Domingo| Authoritative patriarch 3
Katherine Jackson| Nia Long| Maternal figure 3
John Branca| Miles Teller| Key lawyer/manager 13
Diana Ross| Kat Graham| Mentor role 39

Production Buzz

Filming kicked off in January 2024, sparking fan excitement over Jaafar's uncanny transformation—side-by-side trailer clips have gone viral, fueling debates on CGI ethics and allegation handling.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), the film promises an "in-depth portrayal" of Michael's triumphs and controversies, with the estate's backing ensuring music rights.

Paris Jackson has voiced mixed support, highlighting family tensions like those with Jermaine.

Fan and Forum Reactions

Online chatter exploded post-trailer: Fans rave, "Jaafar is Michael—those moves!" while skeptics question, "CGI overload or genius?"

  • Pro-casting : Nepotism done right; real Jackson DNA shines.
  • Criticisms : Will it gloss over 1993 allegations? Legal limits noted.
  • Hype factors : Full Jacksons lineup, Thriller recreations trending now.

Trending since November 2025, this biopic arrives amid peak nostalgia—perfect timing pre-release.

TL;DR : Jaafar Jackson plays Michael in the 2026 biopic, with Juliano Krue Valdi as young MJ; stacked cast and viral trailer build massive buzz.

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