Lionsgate has found their young Michael Jackson for Antoine Fuqua‘s upcoming film about the King of Pop’s life, according to Deadline. Juliano Krue Valdi will step into the shoes of the young version of the singer, while Jackson‘s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, portrays the legendary performer during his adult years. The movie will explore the four-decade-spanning career of Michael Jackson, as he went through the ups and downs of growing up in the entertainment industry. Jackson eventually became one of the biggest pop culture figures in history, with his legacy decorated by both unbreakable sales records and controversy during the second half of his trajectory.
Michael is set to start filming next week, with a global theatrical release date programmed for April 18, 2025. In a statement regarding Valdi‘s casting, Antoine Fuqua, the director behind the upcoming movie, expressed: “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”.
John Logan, who’s been nominated for an Academy Award three times in screenwriting categories, is behind the script for Michael. The writer previously worked on titles such as Gladiator, The Aviator and Hugo, building a strong career that has earned him multiple awards. In recent years, Logan has focused on writing for Alien: Covenant, Penny Dreadful and They/Them. The screenwriter now has the challenge of exploring four decades’ worth of the King of Pop’s career and personal life, in a movie directed by the filmmaker behind the recent Equalizer films.
Michael Jackson’s Impressive Legacy
Over the course of his career, Michael Jackson shocked the industry by shattering an extensive number of records, including the time when his single, “You Are Not Alone”, became the first song to debut atop of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Antoine Fuqua will dive deep into the impact Jackson‘s career had on the music industry, after going on one final ride with Denzel Washington‘s Robert McCall in last year’s The Equalizer 3. With Valdi and Jaafar Jackson stepping into the King of Pop’s shoes, the movie is ready to explore the legacy of one of the biggest singers to ever grab a microphone on the big screen.
via Collider