The long-awaited biopic chronicling the life of the legendary singer and dancer Michael Jackson, titled Michael, is set to premiere on April 18, 2025. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, will feature the nephew of the late pop icon, Jaafar Jackson, as Michael Jackson, in his film debut. The film will also depict the rise of the Jackson 5, the iconic pop band composed of Michael and his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon, who started their musical career in the 1960s and achieved worldwide fame and success.
The Jackson 5: From Gary to Motown
The Jackson 5, later known as the Jacksons, is an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and for most of their career consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. They were managed by their father Joe Jackson.
The group performed in talent shows and clubs on the Chitlin’ Circuit, then signed with Steeltown Records in 1967 and released two singles. In 1968, they left Steeltown Records and signed with Motown, where they were the first group to debut with four consecutive number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the songs “I Want You Back”, “ABC”, “The Love You Save”, and “I’ll Be There”.
They also achieved sixteen Top-40 singles on the chart. The group left Motown for Epic Records in early 1976, with the exception of Jermaine, who was replaced by youngest brother Randy. At Epic, they released four studio albums and one live album between 1976 and 1981, including the successful albums Destiny (1978) and Triumph (1980) and the singles “Enjoy Yourself”, “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)”, and “Can You Feel It”.
The brothers also released solo albums, most successfully Michael. In 1983, Jermaine reunited with the band to perform on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV special. They released the Victory album the following year, followed by an extensive tour which also featured songs from Michael’s solo albums. After the Victory tour, Michael and Marlon left the group.
The remaining four released the poorly received 2300 Jackson Street album in 1989 before being dropped from their label. In 2001, the Jacksons reunited on Michael’s 30th Anniversary Celebration TV special. The four eldest of the brothers embarked on their Unity Tour in 2012 following Michael’s death, and they planned several major performances for 2017.
The Jackson 5 have sold more than 100 million records worldwide In 1980, the brothers were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as the Jacksons. They were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Two of the band’s recordings (“ABC” and “I Want You Back”) are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll and, alongside “I’ll Be There”, were also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The Cast: A Mix of Newcomers and Veterans
The film Michael will feature a total of ten actors who will portray the Jackson 5 through the years, according to producer Graham King He said, “The truly epic nature of this film required a total of ten actors with the talent to portray the Jackson 5 through the years. I’m thrilled to bring this extraordinary group of actors and performers to worldwide audiences in this film.”
The cast for the Jackson 5 are as follows:
- Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson: The late singer’s 27-year-old nephew Jaafar Jackson is set to play his uncle. After searching for someone to fit the part, King said, “It was clear that he is the only person to take on this role.” King added that he was “blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael” and was “beyond thrilled that he has come on board to portray his uncle and cannot wait for the world to see him on the big screen as Michael Jackson.” Though Michael will mark his acting debut, Jaafar is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, according to Deadline, and previously appeared in several family-oriented projects over the years, including 2015’s The Jacksons: Next Generation and Tito Jackson’s 2021 music video “Love One Another.”
- Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael: The newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi, 9, will portray a young Jackson, a big role in his first feature film. “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. We found that in Juliano, who is a natural performer and a joy to work with,” King said.
- Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson: Jamal R. Henderson, 24, will play the role of Jermaine, the second-oldest brother and one of the lead singers of the group. Henderson is a rising star who has appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as Black-ish, The Hate U Give, and The Photograph. He is also a singer and songwriter who has released his own music.
- Jayden Harville as young Jermaine: Jayden Harville, 10, will play the role of young Jermaine. Harville is a talented child actor who has appeared in commercials, short films, and web series. He is also a dancer and a model.
- Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson: Tre Horton, 23, will play the role of Marlon, the sixth-oldest brother and one of the main dancers of the group. Horton is a dancer and choreographer who has worked with artists such as Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Usher. He has also appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as Step Up: High Water, Honey: Rise Up and Dance, and The Prom.
- Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as young Marlon: Jaylen Lyndon Hunter, 11, will play the role of young Marlon. Hunter is a young actor who has appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as Family Reunion, Mixed-ish, and The Christmas Chronicles 2. He is also a singer and a dancer.
- Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson: Rhyan Hill, 25, will play the role of Tito, the third-oldest brother and the guitarist of the group. Hill is an actor and musician who has appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as Snowfall, The Chi, and Waves. He is also a rapper and a producer who goes by the stage name Rhy.
- Judah Edwards as young Tito: Judah Edwards, 12, will play the role of young Tito. Edwards is a young actor who has appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as The Rookie, The Unicorn, and The War with Grandpa. He is also a singer and a dancer.
- Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson: Joseph David-Jones, 28, will play the role of Jackie, the oldest brother and one of the lead singers of the group. David-Jones is an actor and singer who has appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as Nashville, Arrow, and Detroit. He is also a member of the band The Rigs.
- Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as young Jackie: Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, 14, will play the role of young Jackie. McIntyre is a young actor who has appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as David Makes Man, Magic Camp, and Barry. He is also a singer and a dancer.
The film will also feature Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, the strict and ambitious father and manager of the Jackson 5; Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, the loving and supportive mother of the Jackson 5; and Miles Teller as John Branca, one of Michael Jackson’s attorneys and advisers.
The Film: A Tribute to the King of Pop
The film Michael will cover the life and career of Michael Jackson, from his childhood of being the star of the Jackson 5, through times of abuse by his father Joe Jackson, to his hit Thriller, and the purchase of Neverland Valley, into his tragic and unexpected death on June 25, 2009.
