MICHAEL Biopic How Jaafar Jackson Earned the Role of Late Uncle the King of Pop
Mar 6, 2026 #actor #interview
Jaafar Jackson brings his late uncle, King of Pop Michael Jackson, back to life on the big screen in 'Michael,' in theaters on April 24. See behind-the-scenes footage of Jaafar's transformation, as the creatives behind the biopic -- director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King -- explain why keeping the role in the family was the clear choice.
#actor #interview
Michael, his life is epic.
And to become the King of Pop, it's an amazing journey.
The challenge of taking on someone like Michael Jackson,
it sounded fun, but then the more real it got, the more pressure I felt.
Going through this process of who can play Michael,
how do you even start with that?
And then, of course, I meet Jafar Jackson.
I always tell everybody, how we start is how we finish.
So let's start with the fire.
Day one.
All I could think of was, can Jafar really pull this off?
Man, when the music started, he hit those first few moves.
I mean, this guy killed it.
I looked at Graham, and Graham looked at me.
I was like, who is this guy?
I never dreamed to be an actor or even thought of playing him,
but I knew it was a calling.
Embodying Michael, I really had to earn the role
and prove to the filmmakers that I was capable of becoming Michael.
You know, essentially, it was starting at the roots
and finding that authenticity.
He took it to a level that none of us thought he could take it to.
That's part of the magic of Jafar.
He has the desire, like Michael, to be the best.
Cut.
I felt that love for Michael every day on set, from the crew and the cast.
Everybody had that love and wanted to put all their heart and soul into it.
I believe that music, we can change the world.
With Jafar, you can see how much he cares.
That's what makes him so special.
Whatever that spirit of Michael he's bringing is present,
and everyone on the team can feel it.
None of us would be here today if it wasn't for Jafar.