Filmmaker Fuqua Admits He Was Worried Jaafar Jackson Couldn’t Play ‘The King of Pop’

Award-winning filmmaker, Antoine Fuqua, and director of the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’, has shared his initial worry that Jaafar Jackson, Jermaine Jackson’s son and the nephew of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, could not pull off the role.

Fuqua’s concern was valid, as the young singer had no acting experience coming into the project.

“From day one, all I could think of was, can Jaafar really pull this off?” But then the music started, and he hit those first few moves. And he killed it. I looked at Graham King (the biopic producer), and he looked at me, and I was like, “Who is this guy?”

Fuqua said part of Jaafar’s charm was his desire to be the best, like Michael Jackson.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight (ET), Jaafar Jackson said he had never dreamed of becoming an actor or of playing his uncle, Michael Jackson, though he 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. Essentially, it was about starting at the roots and finding the authenticity.”

“He took the role to a level that none of us thought he could take it to,” said King.

Jaafar said that the love for Michael Jackson shared by the film’s cast and crew inspired everyone to put their hearts and souls into the production.

Starring Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Nia Long as the Jackson matriarch, Catherine Jackson, ‘Michael’ was written by John Logan, directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, John Branca and John McClain.

The film will release theatrically on April 24, 2026.

Meantime, comments on its latest trailer flowed in:

“I can’t believe how similar he sounds to Michael. Jaafar really outdid himself,” said @AaronNazzy.

“This is going to be one of the biggest blockbusters in cinematic history. The legend lives on,” @Official_IndrasishGuha.

“I am gonna be honest … this is my most anticipated movie of this year,” @messierCobalt

“Can’t wait, Michael. This is your moment!” @Issuriqueen

“The casting is PERFECT.” @Wayhoo

“Getting a literal Jackson to play Michael Jackson is the greatest decision ever,” @Crazyhikehde

“Movie theatre is gonna be packed like it’s a real MJ performance,” @elizabbethgran