Jafaar Jackson, Michael Jackson.Photo: Gabriel Olsen/Getty, Dave Hogan/Getty
The highly-anticipated biopic on the life ofMichael Jacksonis coming on April 18, 2025, and the full cast has finally been revealed!The film, simply titledMichael,will document the life of the King of Pop from his younger years up until his death. Still in production, the Lionsgate and Universal Pictures project will feature Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, taking on the lead role of his uncle through his adult life.Now, the actors who will play each member of the iconic Jackson 5 are set: Juliano Krue Valdi andJaafar as the late pop icon; Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine; Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon; Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito; and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie.Colman Domingo was cast as their father, Joe Jackson, while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller stars as John Branca. John Logan wrote the script and Antoine Fuqua is directing.“The truly epic nature of this film required a total of ten actors with the talent to portray the Jackson 5 through the years,” said producer Graham King in a press release Tuesday. “I’m thrilled to bring this extraordinary group of actors and performers to worldwide audiences in this film.”Meet the actors!
The highly-anticipated biopic on the life ofMichael Jacksonis coming on April 18, 2025, and the full cast has finally been revealed!
The film, simply titledMichael,will document the life of the King of Pop from his younger years up until his death. Still in production, the Lionsgate and Universal Pictures project will feature Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, taking on the lead role of his uncle through his adult life.
Now, the actors who will play each member of the iconic Jackson 5 are set: Juliano Krue Valdi andJaafar as the late pop icon; Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine; Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon; Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito; and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie.
Colman Domingo was cast as their father, Joe Jackson, while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller stars as John Branca. John Logan wrote the script and Antoine Fuqua is directing.
“The truly epic nature of this film required a total of ten actors with the talent to portray the Jackson 5 through the years,” said producer Graham King in a press release Tuesday. “I’m thrilled to bring this extraordinary group of actors and performers to worldwide audiences in this film.”
Meet the actors!
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Jaafar Jackson
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in MICHAEL.Kevin Mazur/Lionsgate; Pete Still/Redferns
Kevin Mazur/Lionsgate; Pete Still/Redferns
The late singer’s27-year-old nephew Jaafar Jacksonis set to play his uncle. After searching for someone to fit the part, King said, “It was clear thathe is the only personto take on this role.”
ThoughMichaelwill mark his acting debut, Jaafar is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, according toDeadline, and previously appeared in several family-oriented projects over the years, including 2015’sThe Jacksons: Next Generationand Tito Jackson’s 2021 music video"Love One Another."
02of 10Juliano Krue ValdiJuliano Krue Valdi, 9, will portray a young Jackson, a big role in his first feature film.“If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived? In the end, that was our focus – talent – and we looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael’s spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano’s undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list,” Fuqua said of Valdi’s casting.Valdi has also played roles inBite Size HalloweenandFace’s Music Party,per his IMDb.
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Juliano Krue Valdi
Juliano Krue Valdi, 9, will portray a young Jackson, a big role in his first feature film.
“If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived? In the end, that was our focus – talent – and we looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael’s spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano’s undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list,” Fuqua said of Valdi’s casting.
Valdi has also played roles inBite Size HalloweenandFace’s Music Party,per his IMDb.
03of 10Jamal R. HendersonJamal R. Henderson.Courtesy LionsgateFormer model Jamal R. Henderson will play Michael’s brother Jermaine in his adult years. Henderson got his start in acting on the Netflix hitMindhunter,before going on to star in the BET featureSouth Central Love.OnInstagramTuesday, Henderson shared his excitement about taking on this role.“Sorry if I’ve been a lil preoccupied lately… IT’S FINALLY OUT!,” his caption began. “Filled with so much joy and gratitude to be apart of this iconic story. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿”
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Jamal R. Henderson
Jamal R. Henderson.Courtesy Lionsgate
Courtesy Lionsgate
Former model Jamal R. Henderson will play Michael’s brother Jermaine in his adult years. Henderson got his start in acting on the Netflix hitMindhunter,before going on to star in the BET featureSouth Central Love.
OnInstagramTuesday, Henderson shared his excitement about taking on this role.
“Sorry if I’ve been a lil preoccupied lately… IT’S FINALLY OUT!,” his caption began. “Filled with so much joy and gratitude to be apart of this iconic story. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿”
04of 10Jayden HarvilleJeyden Harville.Courtesy LionsgatePlaying young Jermaine, 15-year-old Jayden Harville is making his film debut inMichael.A California native, Harville has been in commercials since the age of 5 (when he was in a Disney Jr.Doc McStuffinsad) and currently has a role in Nickelodeon’s improv comedy incubator show.
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Jayden Harville
Jeyden Harville.Courtesy Lionsgate
Playing young Jermaine, 15-year-old Jayden Harville is making his film debut inMichael.A California native, Harville has been in commercials since the age of 5 (when he was in a Disney Jr.Doc McStuffinsad) and currently has a role in Nickelodeon’s improv comedy incubator show.
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Tre Horton
Tre Horton.Courtesy Lionsgate
Adult Marlon actor Tre Horton got his start in school theater, playing an orphan inAnniewhen he was 8. A triple threat, Horton has been trained in singing, dancing and acting, landing roles inAmen Corner,A Chorus Line, andBeauty and the Beast.
06of 10Jaylen Lyndon HunterJaylen Lyndon Hunter.Courtesy LionsgateJaylen Lyndon Hunter, 13, will play Marlon as a kid. Hunter was born in Granada, Spain and got his start in Memphis with the Young Actors Guild. As an actor, songwriter and dancer, Hunter recently concluded touring with Broadway’sThe Lion Kingas Young Simba.Hunter is not new to the role of Marlon — he also played young Marlon in the first national tour forMJ: The Musical.
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Jaylen Lyndon Hunter
Jaylen Lyndon Hunter.Courtesy Lionsgate
Jaylen Lyndon Hunter, 13, will play Marlon as a kid. Hunter was born in Granada, Spain and got his start in Memphis with the Young Actors Guild. As an actor, songwriter and dancer, Hunter recently concluded touring with Broadway’sThe Lion Kingas Young Simba.
Hunter is not new to the role of Marlon — he also played young Marlon in the first national tour forMJ: The Musical.
07of 10Rhyan HillRhyan Hill.Courtesy LionsgateRyhan Hill, who will be playing adult Tito, is a dancer and actor who has made a name for himself in Hollywood. He is a series regular in BET+‘sThe Michael Blackson Show, and has also been credited inGrey’s AnatomyandLovecraft Country.On the dance side, Hill was in Childish Gambino’s memorable “This is America"music video and has shared the stage with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Bebe Rexha and MC Hammer.
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Rhyan Hill
Rhyan Hill.Courtesy Lionsgate
Ryhan Hill, who will be playing adult Tito, is a dancer and actor who has made a name for himself in Hollywood. He is a series regular in BET+‘sThe Michael Blackson Show, and has also been credited inGrey’s AnatomyandLovecraft Country.
On the dance side, Hill was in Childish Gambino’s memorable “This is America"music video and has shared the stage with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Bebe Rexha and MC Hammer.
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Judah Edwards
Judah Edwards.Courtesy Lionsgate
09of 10Joseph David-JonesJoseph David-Jones.Courtesy LionsgateJoseph David-Jones plays older Jackie inMichael.He had a lead role as Connor Hawke/Green Arrow on The CW’s superhero seriesArrowandDC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and starred in the CW sci-fi series4400.He can be seen in a long list of television and films, including Kathryn Bigelow’sDetroitandRoman J. Israel, Esq.with Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell. This is also not David-Jones’ first time working with Lionsgate — he was a costar inThe Divergent Series: Allegiant.
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Joseph David-Jones
Joseph David-Jones.Courtesy Lionsgate
Joseph David-Jones plays older Jackie inMichael.He had a lead role as Connor Hawke/Green Arrow on The CW’s superhero seriesArrowandDC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and starred in the CW sci-fi series4400.
He can be seen in a long list of television and films, including Kathryn Bigelow’sDetroitandRoman J. Israel, Esq.with Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell. This is also not David-Jones’ first time working with Lionsgate — he was a costar inThe Divergent Series: Allegiant.
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Nathaniel Logan McIntyre
Nathaniel Logan McEntyre.Courtesy Lionsgate
He was in another biopic on Netflix calledBarry,about Barack Obama’s early years. McIntyre has also had experience in modeling, commercials and theater, playing Young Simba in Disney’sThe Lion Kingbefore it went on Broadway and continuing the role.
source: people.com
