It has been revealed that Colman Domingo will play the role of Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson’s father, in an upcoming biopic about the legendary pop star’s life. On Thursday, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures announced that Colman will portray the “hard-driving, singularly focused, controversial” patriarch of the Jackson family in the film Michael, which is set to be released on April 18, 2025.
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The starring role of Michael Jackson will be played by Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late musical icon, who will be making his acting debut with this film. Antoine Fuqua will be directing Michael, a three-time Oscar nominee, with the script written by John Logan. Graham King, known for producing Oscar-winning films like Bohemian Rhapsody, The Aviator, and The Departed, will serve as a producer alongside the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate. In a press release, Graham King expressed his admiration for Colman Domingo, according to TOO FAB.
“Few actors present themselves with Colman’s screen presence and force of will. We’re so fortunate to have an actor with his undeniable talent portraying Joe Jackson on screen. We couldn’t be more excited to have him join us on this journey.”
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Colman Domingo further expressed his enthusiasm for being part of a film that explores the life of the legendary Michael Jackson and his impact on music and culture as a global icon. He praised Jaafar Jackson’s incredible transformation into his late uncle, stating, “After seeing him in rehearsal, my mind was blown. There is something divine about the way that Jaafar is channeling his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of Michael’s essence is simply on another level.”
Joe Jackson was known for managing the talents of his children, including the Jackson 5, which produced stars like Michael and Janet Jackson. However, his strict parenting style and rigid approach left a contentious legacy. Despite this, Joe made significant contributions to music and was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2014. He passed away in 2018 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Colman Domingo’s casting as Joe Jackson comes at a time when he is receiving recognition for his Oscar-nominated performance in Rustin, as well as his work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Zola, Fear the Walking Dead, and the recently released musical re-telling of The Color Purple.
The log-line of the film describes Michael as a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complex man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop. It promises to showcase his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale, capturing his human side, personal struggles, and undeniable creative genius through his most iconic performances. The film aims to provide audiences with an inside look into the life of one of the most influential and trailblazing artists the world has ever known.
