The director of the upcoming Michael Jackson's biopic opened up about being blown away by the flick's leading man.
Director Antoine Fuqua is working with Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who is playing the lead role in the Lionsgate biopic. Although they have not released a sneak peek yet, the filmmaker already hyped fans by revealing that the actor's resemblance to the late King of Pop is uncanny.
Michael Jackson Biopic's Director Praises Jaafar Jackson
Fuqua sat for an interview with EW, during which he shared how blown away he was by how Jafaar looks exactly like his late uncle. The 27-year-old actor is the son of the singer's brother, Jermaine Jackson.
"It's uncanny how much he's like Michael," Fuqua said. "Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It's really uncanny. Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away."
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The director is making the biopic alongside "Bohemian Rhapsody" producer Graham King and Michael estate's co-executors John Branca and John McClain. John Logan made the script.
The biopic, titled "Michael," follows a series of successful biopics about Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston. It will also serve as Jaafar's first major film role since he debuted.
Fuqua aims to tell the facts about the "Smooth Criminal" hitmaker, including the good, the bad and the ugly.
Michael Jackson's Biopic Will Remind Everyone of His Dark Past
While others feel excited to see the movie, "Leaving Neverland" documentary director Dan Reed slammed the people behind the project as he believes it would do nothing but glorify Michael Jackson.
"What the total absence of outrage accompanying the announcement of this movie tells us is that Jackson's seduction is still a living force, operating from beyond the grave," he wrote in a The Guardian op-ed. "It seems that the press, his fans and the vast older demographic who grew up loving Jackson are willing to set aside his unhealthy relationship with children and just go along with the music."
His documentary highlighted Michael's infamous child sexual abuses, featuring two of his victims Wade Robson and James Safechuck. The two men were with the singer at his California ranch and even accompanied him on tour when they were younger.
