A biopic of the late music icon Michael Jackson will be released on 18 April 2025. Titled Michael, the production is set to begin on 22 January this year.
Antoine Fuqua, who also directed Training Day and The Equalizer, will be the film's director. The film is taken from a script by John Logan, who also wrote or co-wrote Ridley Scott's Gladiator, Martin Scorsese's The Aviator and Sam Mendes' James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre.
Last year, Fuqua told Entertainment Weekly that his approach to the film would be: “Just to tell the facts as we know it, about the artist, about the man, about the human being. You know, the good, bad, and the ugly.”
Michael Jackson died from cardiac arrest caused by caused by a lethal combination of sedatives and propofol, an anesthetic. He is hailed as the "King of Pop" and had a successful four-decade-long career, producing hits such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller".
During the 90s however, he saw his reputation tarnished by a string of child sexual abuse allegations during the 1990s. He was acquitted of sexual molestation in a widely-publicised trial in 2005.
Here is everything you need to know about the new Michael Jackson biopic.
Who is in the cast of Michael?
Last January, Jaafar Jackson, the 27-year-old nephew of Michael Jackson, landed the lead role. The singer and songwriter is the son of former Jackson 5 member and solo act Jermaine Jackson, and has been singing and dancing since age 12.
About Jaafar Jackson playing the role, Fuqua told Entertainment Weekly: “It’s uncanny how much he’s 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.”
Details of the rest of the cast have not yet been revealed.
What is the plot?
The exact plot has not been confirmed, but according to The Hollywood Reporter, "Michael" will cover everything from Jackson's child stardom in The Jackson 5 to his impactful musical career as an adult. It will also delve into the accusations of child sexual abuse he faced late in his life.
What has the family said?
Jaafar Jackson said he was "humbled and honoured" to have taken on the role, alongside an image of himself he shared on his Instagram.
"I’m humbled and honoured to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life," he wrote when his role was first announced.
"To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon."
