Jaafar Jackson has opened up about the intense pressure of stepping into the shoes of his uncle Michael Jackson, revealing he had just 20 days to prove he could take on the role in the upcoming biopic Michael.
Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jackson spoke candidly about the preparation process behind one of the most anticipated music films in years.
Tasked with recreating some of the most iconic performances in pop history, he explained how he leaned on guidance from Michael’s own former choreographers, Rich and Tone, to begin mastering the King of Pop’s signature style.
“I always told myself: ‘What should I start on first?’ I had incredible guidance from Rich and Tone, who were Michael's actual choreographers that he had on tour during his HIStory Tour. So we broke down the Billie Jean performance from 'Motown 25' and that was the first set of choreography I started to learn thoughout the process. I had 20 days to prove myself to them and the filmakers, to prove that I can pull it off within those 20 days. In my mind, I was like: ‘20 days? How can I do that? I need a lot more time.’ And within that time, I was very doubtful. It was incredibly challenging.”
That performance — Michael Jackson’s legendary Billie Jean routine at Motown 25, where he debuted the moonwalk — remains one of the most defining moments of his career, raising the stakes even further for Jackson as he prepared for the role.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, aims to chart Jackson’s life from his early years in The Jackson 5 through to his rise as the world’s biggest pop star.
With a reported $155 million budget, Michael is one of the most expensive music biopics ever made, signalling the scale of the project.
The film is backed by Lionsgate and produced by Graham King — the same producer behind Bohemian Rhapsody — and has been made with the full cooperation of the Jackson estate, allowing access to Jackson’s original music catalogue.
That includes tracks spanning decades, from early Jackson 5 hits to solo classics like Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller, all of which are expected to feature prominently.
Jackson also revealed one of the more surreal moments from filming — recreating scenes for Thriller, widely regarded as one of the most iconic music videos ever made.
Remarkably, production returned to the exact same location used in the original 1983 shoot, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the project.
“The same exact location for two nights. We actually had a full moon on one of those nights, which was crazy. It's that kind of Michael Jackson magic.”
Beyond Jaafar Jackson in the lead role — his first major acting credit — the film features a heavyweight supporting cast including Colman Domingo, Miles Teller and Nia Long, with younger versions of Jackson portrayed by Juliano Krue Valdi.
The production itself has been years in the making, first announced in 2019, with filming beginning in early 2024 before additional shoots in 2025.
The film is set for a global cinema release on April 24, 2026, following multiple delays, and is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of the year. Early trailers have generated huge interest online, reportedly breaking viewing records for a music biopic teaser, while also sparking debate about how the film will handle the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life.
For Jaafar Jackson, the challenge is clear: not just to imitate one of the most recognisable performers in history, but to capture the complexity of a figure whose influence — and controversy — still looms large. With unprecedented access, a major budget, and global scrutiny, Michael is aiming to be the definitive big-screen portrayal of the King of Pop.
Universal Pictures has unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael, offering fans an early glimpse into one of the year’s most anticipated, and much delayed, music movies.
The new footage mixes rehearsal clips with interviews with Director Antoine Fuqua and the film's star Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson.
The featurette opens with Jaafar speaking candidly about taking on the role. He admits that he never actually dreamed of being an actor, but when the opportunity to play Michael arose, he felt it was a "calling." He emphasizes that he didn't just get the role because of his name; he had to "earn the role and prove to the filmmakers" that he could capture the authenticity of his uncle.
No stranger to epic musical movies, after his smash hit Bohemian Rhapsody, producer Graham King admits in the footage that, “the challenge of taking on someone like Michael Jackson, it sounded fun. But then the more real it got, the more pressure I felt.”
The video is packed with "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" clips of Jaafar in some of Michael’s most famous eras including a Billie Jean scene where we see Jaafar on a smoke-filled stage in the iconic black suit and fedora and Thriller rehearsal footage of the famous dance and a glimpse of Jaafar in full zombie makeup.
The biopic also features a heavy-hitting lineup of Hollywood talent tasked with bringing the Jackson family and the music industry's elite to life:
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by three-time Academy Award nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), Michael aims to provide a "front-row seat" to the entertainer's life.
The narrative covers the full spectrum of his journey, beginning with his childhood as the breakout star of the Jackson 5 in Gary, Indiana. It then traces his relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. It explores the "man behind the glove," touching on the psychological toll of isolation, the loss of childhood, and the complexities of his private life that were often misunderstood by the public.
The film is set for it's international premiere in Berlin on April 10, 2026. This will kick off a "Fan Celebration" event, where the stars and creators will engage with the public before the film’s worldwide theatrical release on April 24, the details of which have yet to be shared.
