Colman Domingo, fresh off receiving his first Oscar nomination, has been chosen to portray Joe Jackson in the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King and GK Films.
“I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon,” expressed Domingo to Deadline.
Domingo, who recently received acclaim for his role as civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in Rustin, is set to join the cast alongside Jafaar Jackson, the real-life nephew of Michael Jackson, who will be playing the iconic pop star.
“Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex, and flawed character to portray in Joe Jackson, but I also have a front-row seat for Jaafar’s incredible transformation. There is something divine about the way that Jaafar is channeling his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of Michael’s essence is simply on another level,” Domingo added.
The biopic, which began production on January 22, aims to provide an in-depth portrayal of Michael Jackson, exploring his artistic process and personal life. Katherine Jackson, the singer’s mother, expressed the family’s honor at having their life story come alive on the big screen.
“Few actors present themselves with Colman’s screen presence and force of will,” shared producer Graham King. “We’re so fortunate to have an actor with his undeniable talent portraying Joe Jackson on screen. We couldn’t be more excited to have him join us on this journey.”
Director Antoine Fuqua also praised Domingo’s incredible range.
“Colman has such incredible range – he puts in the work to deeply inhabit his characters and understand their true essence and motivation. I’m grateful to be working with an actor with his passion and ability to portray the many sides of Joe Jackson: a husband, a father and a manager,” Fuqua expressed.
Michael is scheduled for release on April 18, 2025. Lionsgate is handling domestic distribution, while Universal Pictures International will manage international territories, excluding Japan, overseen by Lionsgate. The biopic promises to bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop, showcasing his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale.