Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson has been cast as the leadin Jackson and will portray the legendary performer in the upcoming biopic for producer Graham King and Lionsgate.

Reports first emerged in 2019 that Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King had acquired the rights to make a film based on the life of the late singer in all of its "complexity".

He had also acquired the rights to use all of Jackson’s music in the movie, which will explore the singer's "complex life".

“Michael” is expected to depict the complicated legacy of the man who became known as the King of Pop. According to the studio, the film will explore all aspects of his life, "including his most iconic performances that led him to become the greatest entertainer of all time."

"It's incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life," said Antoine Fuqua. "There was such a spiritual connection when I first met Jaafar, who has a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera."

Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson’s mother, added, "Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers."

What isn’t fully known, at this time, is just how deep the biopic will go into the performer’s later career and his controversies, including various accusations of sexual assault and his tragic death due to a propofol overdose. If King’s previous film, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is any indication, combined with just how closely the Jackson Estate is working on the film, we can probably expect the film to focus on the good parts of his life and leave the controversies to mere mentions, if at all.

Source: Press Release