Antoine Fuqua is singing the praises of Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in Michael, the upcoming biopic of the entertainer’s life.
Yahoo Entertainment reports that Fuqua said that Jaafar looks exactly like his late uncle in the upcoming film, saying, “[I]t’s uncanny how he’s so much like Michael, it’s actually scary.”
Fuqua also clarified that the film is currently in the preparation stages “except for the strike.” He added that the biopic was meant to start filming this year before the strikes occurred.
Another clarification–the film is set to address everything about Jackson’s life and career. We can assume this also means the film will address the allegations of sexual misconduct with children. Jackson was acquitted of claims surrounding his conduct with a 13-year-old boy in 2005. However allegations, including new allegations from choreographer Wade Robeson and James Safechuck, have resurfaced in the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. The documentary was heavily criticized by Jackson’s fans, family and supporters.
“We’re just going to tell the facts as we know it, the good, bad and the ugly,” he said. His comments echo what Lionsgate has also said about the film, describing it as one that will “address all aspects of Jackson’s life.”
The facts addressed in the film would be ones approved or allowed by the Jackson estate, which is producing the film via the estate’s co-executors John McClain and John Branca. As followers of the Jackson family know, the estate have long denied the claims of misconduct against Jackson and sued HBO for $100 million in damages over Leaving Neverland.
Graham King, who also produced Bohemian Rhapsody, is also producing the film. And, in a rare statement, Jackson’s mother Katherine spoke about the film in 2022 to give her approval of the film. “Ever since Michael was little, as a member of The Jackson 5, he loved the magic of cinema,” she said. “As a family, we are honored to have our life story come alive on the big screen.”
