Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar Jackson 'Embodies' the Late Singer in First-Look Photo from Biopic

Mar. 15, 2025

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson inMichael(2025).Photo:Kevin Mazur/ Lionsgate

Kevin Mazur/ Lionsgate

We’re looking at a man in the mirror.

Jaafar Jacksonis the spitting image of his uncleMichael Jacksonin a first-look photo from the upcoming biopicMichaelshared on Tuesday.

In the image, 27-year-old Jaafar is rocking a famous look of Michael’s from the 1990s: a white button-up over a white V-neck and black pants, with his hair tied back into a low ponytail as he sings onstage.

“With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael,” producer Graham King said in a statement. “He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.”

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Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson inMichael(2025).Kevin Mazur/ Lionsgate

Added directorAntoine Fuqua, “We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project — hair and makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything — and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film."

“But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it,” said Fuqua, 58.

“When I walked onto the set, I felt like I’d gone back in time and I was walking into the stadium to shoot the tour. Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, ‘Wow, it is Michael,’ " added Mazur.

“The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything — he’s Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn’t have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime — this is how it was.”

Jafaar (L) and Michael Jackson.Araya Diaz/Getty, Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty

In January 2023, it was announced thatLionsgate was working on a filmabout the “Thriller” singer, with a screenplay from John Logan (Gladiator,The Aviator,Skyfall).

Starring asthe late pop singer, Jafaar is the son of Michael’s older brotherJermaine Jackson.

“It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life,” Fuqua previously said in a statement toVariety. “There was such a spiritual connection when I first met Jaafar, who has a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera.”

Michaelis in theaters April 18, 2025.

source: people.com