Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar, is to portray him in new upcoming movie. This was announced Monday, January 30, 2023 by Studio Lionsgate.

Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson took to twitter that he was “humbled and honored” to bring Michael’s story alive.

The movie will be titled “Michael” and is being made in cooperation with the Jackson estate and family. According to Issy Ronald of CNN, It was said by a member of the Jackson family in February of 2022, that the movie offers “an in-depth portrayal of the man and our brother who became the King of Pop,”

Antoine Fuqua is the set director of the film, being produced by Graham King and written by John Logan, a three-time Oscar nominee. Production is set to begin this year as of currently.

CNN states that, “King conducted a “worldwide search” for the role, he said in a statement, and “was blown away by the way he [Jaafar] organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael.” King also added, “It was clear that he is the only person to take on this role. I am beyond thrilled that he has come on board to portray his uncle and cannot wait for the world to see him on the big screen as Michael Jackson,”

The Jackson family has voiced their support for the casting choice, Including Michael’s first son, Prince, stated that he believes that Jaafar “embodies” a lot of his father. CNN states that, he took to instagram, “Truthfully I couldn’t be happier and prouder for him, he’s been working his ass off and I know he’s going to do an amazing job,” he continued, “I’m confident we are all going to do our best to show the world a part of my father they’ve never seen and that they deserve to see.”

Michael, [Jackson], wrote hits that include “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” and “Smooth Criminal”. He later died at the age of 50 in 2009 due to cardiac arrest.

His legacy has been tainted by series of child sexual abuse allegations and a documentary titled “Leaving Neverland” in 2019, which featured two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claimed that they were sexual abused by Jackson over a period of several years when they were children.

Jackson’s family and estate has denied the allegations and refer to previous sworn testimonies of the subject on the film that Jackson never abused them.