A major star has joined the cast of Michael — the biopic based on the King of Pop — as The Color Purple’s Colman Domingo has signed on.
Domingo will play Joe Jackson — the controversial father of Michael and his siblings who passed away in 2018. He joins Jaafar Jackson, who will be playing Michael Jackson himself in the film.
“I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon,” Colman stated. “Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex and flawed character to portray in Joe Jackson, but I also have a front row seat for Jaafar’s incredible transformation. After seeing him in rehearsal, my mind was blown. There is something divine about the way that Jaafar is channeling his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of Michael’s essence is simply on another level.”
“Colman has such incredible range — he puts in the work to deeply inhabit his characters and understand their true essence and motivation,” director Antoine Fuqua added. “I’m grateful to be working with an actor with his passion and ability to portray the many sides of Joe Jackson: a husband, a father and a manager.”
Some of Domingo’s other notable roles over the years include Private Harold Green in Lincoln, Ralph Abernathy in Selma, Unicron in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and most recently, Bayard Rustin in Rustin.
What is Michael about?
“Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop,” reads Michael‘s description. “The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, exemplified by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.”
