Fans React To First Official Image Of Michael Jackson’s Nephew In New Biopic

In January 2023, Lionsgate and Universal Studios announced their plans to work on a biopic centered around the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The project gained attention not only for its subject matter but also for its casting choice. Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson and son of his brother Jermaine Jackson, was set to step into the iconic shoes of his late uncle, portraying the music icon on screen.

The anticipation surrounding the upcoming biopic heightens as fans patiently await the official release, which is slated for 2025. Recently, the producers offered a glimpse into the project’s progress and ignited excitement as they unveiled the first official photo of the biopic, offering a sneak peek into what promises to be a captivating portrayal of the legendary musician’s life and legacy.

The first official image of the Michael Jackson biopic emerges on social media

The image, shared on LionsGate’s official Instagram, captured Jaafar Jackson embodying the essence of Michael Jackson, evoking the iconic look from the early ’90s when the legendary singer performed “Man in the Mirror” during his Dangerous tour. In the picture, Jaafar wore a white V-neck T-shirt and a billowing white shirt over the top, and he completed it with black trousers, with his hair worn longer and tied up at the base of his head.

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The picture was taken by photographer Kevin Mazur, who had a personal connection with the late Michael Jackson, having worked with him during the preparations for the planned This Is It tour before the tragic passing of the singer.

Fans of the King of Pop have taken to the comment section to highlight the striking similarities between Jaafar and his late uncle. “He looks like MJ. This is going to be the greatest biopic ever,” a fan wrote. “This is awesome! Jaafar looks amazing as his Uncle!” another person wrote, while a third fan commented, “Is it just me or… is that Michael Jackson?”

Mazur also shared that Jaafar’s ability to channel his late uncle, Michael Jackson, deeply impressed him, praising his portrayal as remarkably convincing. “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,” the photographer explained. “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.”