See the Michael Jackson Biopic Cast, Side by Side with the Real People

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Kevin Mazur/Lionsgate; Pete Still/Redferns

Kevin Mazur/Lionsgate; Pete Still/Redferns

The cast of theMichael Jacksonbiopic has big shoes to fill.

In January 2023, it was announced thatLionsgate was working on a filmaboutthe King of Pop, which willsimply be titledMichael.

Starring asthe late pop singerwill be Jackson’s own nephewJaafar Jackson, who is the son of Jermaine Jackson.

“It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life,” director Antoine Fuquasaid 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.”

01of 09Juliano Krue Valdi as Young Michael JacksonCourtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/GettyIn January 2024, Lionsgate announced that 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will portray a young Jackson as the film covers his rise to fame with his brothers in the Jackson 5.“If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived? In the end, that was our focus – talent – and we looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael’s spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano’s undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list,” Fuqua said of Valdi’s casting.Michaelwill mark Valdi’s first feature film role following appearances on shows such asBite Size HalloweenandFace’s Music Party,per his IMDb.

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Juliano Krue Valdi as Young Michael Jackson

Courtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

In January 2024, Lionsgate announced that 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will portray a young Jackson as the film covers his rise to fame with his brothers in the Jackson 5.

“If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived? In the end, that was our focus – talent – and we looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael’s spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano’s undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list,” Fuqua said of Valdi’s casting.

Michaelwill mark Valdi’s first feature film role following appearances on shows such asBite Size HalloweenandFace’s Music Party,per his IMDb.

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Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson

Araya Diaz/Getty, Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty

The late singer’s 27-year-old nephew Jaafar Jackson is set to play him in the new movie. He was selected for the role after a worldwide casting search was conducted, of which producer Graham King said, “It was clear thathe is the only personto take on this role.”

ThoughMichaelwill mark his acting debut, Jaafar is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, according toDeadline, and previously appeared in a number of family-oriented projects over the years, including 2015’sThe Jacksons: Next Generationand Tito Jackson’s 2021 music video"Love One Another."

03of 09Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito JacksonCourtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/GettyJudah Edwards, who previously appeared on Hulu’sSaint X, will play a young Tito Jackson in the film. Meanwhile,The Michael Blackson Showactor Rhyan Hill will play Tito in his later years.

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Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson

Judah Edwards, who previously appeared on Hulu’sSaint X, will play a young Tito Jackson in the film. Meanwhile,The Michael Blackson Showactor Rhyan Hill will play Tito in his later years.

04of 09Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon JacksonCourtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/GettyBroadway actor Jaylen Lyndon Hunter will play a young Marlon Jackson, a role he previously played on the first national tour ofMJ: The Musical. Tre Horton, who has an extensive history in theater and previously appeared onMy Enemy Alpha, will play Marlon in his later years.

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Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson

Broadway actor Jaylen Lyndon Hunter will play a young Marlon Jackson, a role he previously played on the first national tour ofMJ: The Musical. Tre Horton, who has an extensive history in theater and previously appeared onMy Enemy Alpha, will play Marlon in his later years.

05of 09Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie JacksonCourtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/GettyDavid Makes Manstar Nathaniel Logan McIntyre will play a younger Jackie Jackson, whileThe 4400star Joseph David-Jones will play Jackie in his later years.

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Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson

David Makes Manstar Nathaniel Logan McIntyre will play a younger Jackie Jackson, whileThe 4400star Joseph David-Jones will play Jackie in his later years.

06of 09Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine JacksonCourtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/GettyJayden Harville will make his film debut inMichaelas he plays a younger version of Jermaine Jackson. Taking on the role of Jermaine in his later years will beSouth Central Lovestar Jamal R. Henderson.

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Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson

Jayden Harville will make his film debut inMichaelas he plays a younger version of Jermaine Jackson. Taking on the role of Jermaine in his later years will beSouth Central Lovestar Jamal R. Henderson.

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Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson

Unique Nicole/Getty; Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Oscar-nominatedRustinactor Colman Domingo is set to play Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson. Producer King said the actor “has such incredible range” and is “grateful to be working” with him on the project.

08of 09Nia Long as Katherine JacksonSlaven Vlasic/Getty; Dave Hogan/GettyPlaying the Jackson matriarch Katherine Jackson will be Nia Long, who called her character “an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family.“She added, “As a mother, she was selfless and endured forces beyond her control yet still managed to help build a legacy beyond measure. I am honored to bring her voice to the screen and share Michael Jackson’s story with audiences everywhere.“Like Domingo, Long has had many notable acting roles to date. She first gained prominence for her roles inBoyz n the HoodandThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and is well known for her other roles inFriday,The Best ManandEmpire.

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Nia Long as Katherine Jackson

Slaven Vlasic/Getty; Dave Hogan/Getty

Playing the Jackson matriarch Katherine Jackson will be Nia Long, who called her character “an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family.”

She added, “As a mother, she was selfless and endured forces beyond her control yet still managed to help build a legacy beyond measure. I am honored to bring her voice to the screen and share Michael Jackson’s story with audiences everywhere.”

Like Domingo, Long has had many notable acting roles to date. She first gained prominence for her roles inBoyz n the HoodandThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and is well known for her other roles inFriday,The Best ManandEmpire.

09of 09Miles Teller as John BrancaParas Griffin/Getty; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis via GettyMiles Teller is set to play John Branca, who became Michael’s manager after Joe Jackson, and was instrumental in helping launch his early career as a solo artist — notably with the release of “Thriller.” Branca is also producing the biopic with John McClain as the co-executors of Jackson’s estate.Teller first rose to fame with his role in theDivergentfilm trilogy but gained critical acclaim for his role inWhiplash, which earned him various award nominations. Recently, he garnered worldwide success for his starring role inTop Gun: Maverickalongside Tom Cruise.

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Miles Teller as John Branca

Paras Griffin/Getty; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis via Getty

Miles Teller is set to play John Branca, who became Michael’s manager after Joe Jackson, and was instrumental in helping launch his early career as a solo artist — notably with the release of “Thriller.” Branca is also producing the biopic with John McClain as the co-executors of Jackson’s estate.

Teller first rose to fame with his role in theDivergentfilm trilogy but gained critical acclaim for his role inWhiplash, which earned him various award nominations. Recently, he garnered worldwide success for his starring role inTop Gun: Maverickalongside Tom Cruise.

source: people.com