Los Angeles, Jan 31 (IANS): Late King of Pop Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon's 26-year old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film biopic.
Fuqua just posted a confirmation on Instagram. The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson, who is the brother of Michael and member of The Jackson 5. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals, reports Deadline.
The Emancipation helmer signed on to next direct Michael, which has a script by John Logan. The film's being produced by Graham King, who turned the Freddie Mercury Queen story into the blockbuster 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.
According to 'Deadline', the film will not shy away from the controversies of Jackson's life, the pedophile accusations that haunted his latest years up to his death in 2009 at age 50, from cardiac arrest caused by a cocktail of sedatives.
The MJ estate's presence gives rights to Jackson's musical catalog, but has led some to question how protective they will be, but clearly things will have to be explored for the film to have dramatic edge and enough truthfulness to stand up to scrutiny while not turning off fans of Jackson's songs and musical legacy.
King and Oscar-nominated Gladiator screenwriter Logan previously threaded the needle perfectly with director Martin Scorsese on 'The Aviator', with Leonardo Di Caprio playing Howard Hughes as he tried to pursue his innovations before mental illness turned him into a germophobic recluse.
'King' and screenwriter Anthony McCarten captured the complexities of Freddie Mercury's life before he died from AIDS.
Michael will also be driven by Jackson's musical accomplishments, which gives the film global potential similar to 'Bohemian Rhapsody', which grossed over $900 million worldwide, boosted the song catalog of Queen, got a Best Picture Oscar nomination and a win for star Rami Malek.
Fuqua is currently finishing 'The Equalizer 3' with Denzel Washington in Italy.