Colman Domingo was set to play Michael Jackson's father Joe in the Lionsgate biopic titled Michael
- Lionsgate announced the news on Tuesday, with the 54-year-old actor joining Jaafar Jackson, Michael's real-life 27-year-old nephew, who will play his uncle.
- The production also recently cast Juliano Krue Valdi, a nine-year-old actor and dancer who has gone viral with his dance moves inspired by the King of Pop.
- Production kicked off earlier this week, with Lionsgate setting a release date of April 18, 2025
Just days after his Oscar nomination for Rustin, Colman Domingo has signed on to play Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson in the biopic Michael.
Lionsgate announced the news on Tuesday, with the 54-year-old actor joining Jaafar Jackson, Michael's real-life 27-year-old nephew, who will play his uncle in the film.
The production also recently cast Juliano Krue Valdi, a nine-year-old actor and dancer who has gone viral with his dance moves inspired by the King of Pop.
Production kicked off earlier this week, with Lionsgate setting a release date of April 18, 2025.
Joe worked in a steel mill and even tried boxing professionally before managing his children's musical careers.
Just days after his Oscar nomination for Rustin, Colman Domingo has signed on to play Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson in the biopic Michael
Joe worked in a steel mill and even tried boxing professionally before going on to manage his children's musical careers.
While The Jackson 5 and Michael's solo careers flourished under his leadership, his reputation was tarnished in the late 1980s when reports surfaced that he was abusing his children.
Michael himself claimed that his father was physically and emotionally abusive, but also cited his strict methods as a key to his success.
Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) directs from a screenplay by John Logan (Gladiator, Skyfall) and Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody) produces.
King said in a statement: “Few actors present with Colman's screen presence and willpower.
He added: “We are so fortunate to have an actor of his undeniable talent playing Joe Jackson on screen. We couldn't be more excited to have him join us on this journey.”
Fuqua added, “Colman has such incredible range – he goes to great lengths to live deeply within his characters and understand their true essence and motivation.”
“I am 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,” the director said.
Domingo said, “I'm excited to be part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson and his impact on music and culture as a global icon.”
While The Jackson 5 and Michael's solo careers flourished under his leadership, his reputation was tarnished in the late 1980s when reports surfaced that he was abusing his children.
Michael himself claimed that his father was physically and emotionally abusive, but also cited his strict methods as a key to his success.
He added: “We are so fortunate to have an actor of his undeniable talent playing Joe Jackson on screen. We couldn't be more excited to have him join us on this journey.”
Fuqua added: 'Colman has such incredible range – he does his best to deeply inhabit his characters and understand their true essence and motivation'
“Not only am I fortunate enough to portray a rich, complex and flawed character in Joe Jackson, but I also have a front row seat to Jaafar's incredible transformation,” Domingo continued.
'After I saw him in rehearsal, I was amazed. There is something divine about the way Jaafar channels his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of Michael's essence are simply on another level,” he concluded.
Domingo won an Emmy for his work in HBO's Euphoria, and in addition to his Oscar nomination, he also earned BAFTA and SAG Award nominations for Rustin.
He recently starred in The Color Purple and will next hit theaters in Ethan Coen's Drive-Away Dolls on February 19.