Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo recently offered a sneak peek into the forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic titled Michael.
The film, set for release in theaters on April 18, 2025, aims to “shine a different light on Michael Jackson,” Domingo, 54, shared with Entertainment Tonight at the BET Awards on June 30, where he was up for best actor.
ICYMI, the film features Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, as the King of Pop. Michael Jackson, who passed away at age 50 in 2009, left a complex legacy marred by multiple abuse allegations.
“Michael Jackson is undeniably one of the most prolific artists that has ever been on this planet,” Domingo told ET. “He’s a complicated human being, and I think what the film will do is tell the story of a very complicated person.”
The Rustin star portrays the controversial Joe Jackson, Michael’s father, who managed the Jackson 5 and daughters Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet from the 1960s through the ’80s. Nia Long takes on the role of matriarch Katherine Jackson. At the same time, 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi plays a young Michael during his Jackson 5 days, and Miles Teller portrays Michael’s lawyer and manager, John Branca.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Domingo went on to express his confidence in the film’s potential impact. “Honestly, I think it’s gonna surprise people what we’re gonna do with this film. It’s gonna be epic,” he told ET.
He also praised Jaafar Jackson’s performance: “When people watch Jaafar Jackson and what he does, they’re gonna be blown away. There’s sort of this spiritual connection that he has with his late uncle. It’s beautiful.”
If you saw, Jaafar, the son of Jermaine Jackson, who performed alongside his brothers in the Jackson 5, was seen in action on set, recreating iconic moments like the “Thriller” music video since the January 2023 announcement of his casting.
Beyond the biopic, Domingo is a rising star. He is leading the A24 film “Sing Sing” (in theaters July 12), which delves into the Rehabilitation Through the Arts theater program at New York’s Sing Sing Correctional Facility and features formerly incarcerated alumni. His acclaimed play “Wild with Happy” recently premiered as an audio adaptation on Audible.