Lionsgate and Universal have dropped the primary picture from Antoine Fuqua’s Michael, the extremely anticipated Michael Jackson biopic hitting theaters in 2025.
The picture exhibits Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in efficiency as Michael Jackson, performing “Man in the Mirror” from the legendary 1992-1993 Dangerous Tour.
Photographer Kevin Mazur shot the picture.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’ biopic
Universal Pictures International
The option to have Mazur seize the first-look {photograph} of Jaafar Jackson is as intentional as so most of the inventive decisions the producers have made. As one of many photographers who documented Michael over a few years, Mazur captured rehearsals as he ready to entertain the world along with his “This Is It” concert events. He is now additionally the primary to {photograph} Jaafar Jackson in character as Michael.
“When I arrived for my first day on the set of this movie, I was so excited – it was like the first time I went on tour to shoot Michael Jackson,” mentioned Mazur. “When I walked onto the set, I felt like I’d gone back in time and I was walking into the stadium to shoot the tour. Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, ‘Wow, it is Michael.’ The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything – he’s Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn’t have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime – this is how it was.”
“With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael,” mentioned producer Graham King. “He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.”
Director Antoine Fuqua added, “We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project – hair & makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything – and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film. But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it.”
Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International have slated the worldwide launch for April 18th, 2025. The movie is now in manufacturing.
Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson might be launched to worldwide audiences within the starring position of the beloved musical icon. Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer movies) will direct the movie with Oscar® winner Graham King/GK Films (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Aviator, The Departed) producing, from a script by three-time Oscar® nominee John Logan.
Michael will convey audiences a riveting and sincere portrayal of the sensible but sophisticated man who grew to become recognized worldwide because the King of Pop. The movie presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human facet and private struggles to his plain inventive genius, captured by his most iconic performances. As by no means earlier than, audiences will expertise an inside look into one of the crucial influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever recognized.
Michael is produced by King and the co-executors of the Michael Jackson property, John Branca and John McClain. Lionsgate is distributing the movie domestically, whereas Universal Pictures International will deal with all territories aside from Japan, which Lionsgate will oversee.