NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Michael Jackson's 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, will play the King of Pop in the planned biopic 鈥淢ichael鈥� to be directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Lionsgate announced Jackson's casting Monday for the film being produced by Oscar-winning 鈥淏ohemian Rhapsody鈥� producer Graham King. Jackson is the second-youngest son of Jermaine Jackson, Michael鈥檚 brother. He鈥檚 put out music of his own; in 2019, he released his debut single, 鈥淕ot Me Singing.鈥� 鈥淢ichael鈥� will be Jackson's acting debut.
鈥淚 met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael,鈥� said King in a statement. 鈥淚t 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."
On Instagram, Fuqua shared a black-and-white photograph of . Fuqua added in a statement that Jackson 鈥渉as a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera.鈥�
On Twitter, Jackson said he's 鈥渉umbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael鈥檚 story to life.鈥�
鈥淢ichael" will be an authorized portrait of the pop star, who died in 2009. The film, scripted by 鈥淕ladiator" and 鈥淭he Aviator鈥� screenwriter John Logan, is being produced with the cooperation of the singer's estate.
鈥淛aafar embodies my son," Katherine Jackson said in a statement. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.鈥�
鈥淢ichael鈥� is to begin shooting this year.
The Associated Press
