The legendary superstar Michael Jackson (MJ), who is regarded as unparalleled, passed away 15 years ago, creating many classics on stage during his 45 years in the music industry, such as “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” and the dance move named after him, the “moonwalk.” These works are still immortal in people’s hearts and have a profound impact.
The biography film “Michael” about the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson started filming last year, and recently, stills have been leaked, adding to people’s imagination and anticipation!
The movie will showcase MJ’s important life journey on the screen, and from the production team behind the scenes to the performers, each one has been carefully selected and is definitely not to be overlooked!
“Michael” Focus 1:
Behind the Scenes Production Team
The movie “Michael” will continue the legacy of the 1992 documentary “The Jacksons: An American Dream” and the 2004 film “Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story”, focusing on the complex and delicate side behind this pop legend, exploring more about MJ that the public does not know.
In terms of shooting and production, “Bohemian Rhapsody” producer Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain serve as producers, “The Bullet Train” producer Antoine Fuqua directs, and John Logan, the screenwriter of “Now You See Me” and “007: Skyfall,” is responsible for the script.
Producer Graham King’s most famous work is the 2006 crime thriller “The Departed,” which won the Best Picture Award at the 79th Academy Awards; while “Bohemian Rhapsody” received five nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, winning four awards, ultimately becoming the sixth highest-grossing film globally in 2018, the highest-grossing music biographical film of all time, and in 2022 was listed as one of the top five highest-grossing films of the 20th Century Fox, a great success!
Producer John Branca and John McClain are both lawyers specializing in entertainment and media law, responsible for managing the music of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Lionel Richie. John Logan, known for his work on films such as “Gladiator” (2000), “The Aviator” (2004), “Hugo” (2011), and “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007), has been nominated for three Academy Awards, as well as winning Tony Awards and Golden Globe Awards, showcasing his talent and skill as a playwright over the past decade.
It can be seen that the list of creators behind the scenes is very impressive, and the production side revealed that the film will not just be a praise, but will present MJ’s complex and controversial life, making people more looking forward to it!
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“Michael” Focus 2:
Performers of Michael Jackson
Another focal point in the movie is the portrayal of MJ by his nephew Jaafar Jackson and the nine-year-old child star Juliano Krue Valdi, known for imitating MJ’s dance moves.
Jaafar Jackson, 27, the son of MJ’s brother Jermaine Jackson, released the single “Got Me Singing” in 2019. This performance marks his debut on the screen, and for the role, Jaafar has been diligently practicing his singing and dancing skills. In the stills, Jaafar imitates MJ’s classic look from the “Dangerous Tour” in a white shirt, naturally exuding MJ’s demeanor, as if recreating the legendary style of the King of Pop!
Producer Graham King said that actually two years ago, he was already naturally impressed by Jaafar’s embodiment of Michael Jackson’s spirit, “That power is so strong that even after a global casting, he is still the only choice for this role.”
In addition, Juliano Krue Valdi, who plays MJ in his childhood, also admitted that he really likes MJ. In the past, he gained a lot of popularity on Instagram by imitating MJ’s singing and dancing videos, amassing 140,000 fans. In the videos, not only can his passion and skill in dancing be seen, but also his gestures and movements exude the charisma and essence of MJ.
Director Antoine Fuqua has also shared the casting process: “Choosing a child actor is more difficult than selecting an adult actor because it’s hard to find a child star with the same level of talent as the greatest performers in history. In the end, we focused on ‘talent.’ We searched around the world for an actor who could embody Michael Jackson through voice, charisma, and dance skills, and Juliano stood out with his irreplaceable talent.”
Michael Jackson, an unparalleled musical genius who has never been free from scandals, is still a shining star in the eyes of the world, immortal, classic, legendary, and continues to influence future musicians and popular culture.
The movie is scheduled to be released on April 8, 2025, looking forward to seeing more exciting stories and getting to know a different side of MJ!
