The first images of the biopic on Michael Jackson, entitled
Michael
, were unveiled Tuesday February 13 on social networks by Lionsgate studios.
We discover Jaafar Jackson in the shoes of his uncle, the king of pop.
Jaafar Jackson is dressed in the iconic white outfit worn by the singer from 1992 to 1993 during his
Dangerous Tour
.
In the photo, the 27-year-old young man shows himself singing.
And if this first image is disconcerting, as it seems realistic, it is also thanks to the talent of photographer Kevin Mazur, who had worked with Michael Jackson throughout his career and in particular on the last rehearsals of his show
This is it
,
Variety
reported
.
A project criticized
The Michael
biopic
is not unanimous.
The project was heavily criticized last year by Dan Reed, the director of
Leaving Neverland
, a documentary that traces accusations of pedophilia against the pop star.
“
Why is no one calling for the cancellation of this film which will glorify a man who raped children?
», Reed was indignant in
The Guardian
in February 2023.
Also read: Michael Jackson's former bodyguard refutes pedophilia accusations
Comments which did not fail to provoke reaction from Antoine Fuqua, the director of the biopic, who also worked on the saga
The Equalizer
and
The Seven Mercenaries
.
The filmmaker actually indicated almost five months ago, during the show
Good Morning America
, that his film would reveal “
the good and the bad
” side of the pop star's life.
“
We will tell what happened, and it will be up to the spectators to sort things out
,” he said on the set of the American show.
The biopic is produced by Lionsgate and by Graham King, who was notably at the helm of
Bohemian Rhapsody
, the biopic on the group Queen which was, at the time of its release in 2018, widely criticized for having embellished the sexuality of Freddie Mercury.
The biopic
Michael
is expected in theaters in April 2025.