By Angelique Jackson

Jaafar Jackson, who will play his late uncle Michael Jackson in the upcoming biopic “Michael,” has signed a representation contract with CAA.

Jaafar Jackson is the son of Jermaine Jackson and the nephew of the King of Pop. He will make his acting debut in the Antoine Fuqua-directed, GK Films-produced film, set for worldwide release on April 18, 2025. “Michael” is also produced by John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors of Michael Jackson’s estate. Lionsgate will distribute the film in the U.S. and Japan, while Universal Pictures has the rights for all offshore territories.

In April, Lionsgate stunned CinemaCon audiences with a first look at the highly anticipated film, revealing the full extent of the investigation into the musician’s life as Jaafar portrays the private person behind the moonwalk. Fans had already gotten a glimpse of his physical transformation when the studio released an image of Jaafar in costume, recreating his uncle’s iconic “Man in the Mirror” look from his 1992-93 Dangerous Tour. But the riveting footage went one step further — beginning with hysterical fans screaming along with Jackson as he commands the stage, flitting between renditions of his biggest hits like “Man in the Mirror” and “Thriller.” The film features more than 30 songs and recreates several performances of them, starting with the Jackson 5’s classic rendition of “ABC” on “American Bandstand.”