See Michael Jackson biopic cast and the real people they're playing: Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy

Director Antoine Fuqua's "Michael" will be led by Jaafar Jackson, nephew of the late King of Pop.

Antoine Fuqua wants to be startin' something.

The director is assembling an ensemble cast for his upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled Michael. The film will follow the life and career of the late King of Pop, from his early days as a member of family group the Jackson 5 through to his successes as a solo artist. Michael will trace Jackson's triumphs and tragedies as it examines both his personal struggles and his most iconic performances.

Fuqua (Training Day) will direct from a script by John Logan (Skyfall, Gladiator). The movie is currently in production, with Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International slated to release it on April 18, 2025.

Included in the film are Jackson family members, plus major players in Michael's career like Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, and more.

Let's take a look at the cast and their real-life counterparts.

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson

When you're dealing with the Jackson clan, it has to be a family affair. Jaafar Jackson, the King of Pop's nephew, will portray the music legend, marking his first major role in a feature film. "It's uncanny how much he's like Michael," Fuqua told EW. "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." If you don't believe him, just take a look at the picture.

Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael

Michael will cover the entire span of Jackson's life from his days as a child star up to his untimely death at 50. But finding someone to embody the preternaturally talented young Michael is a tall order. Fuqua found his boy in 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi, who has been sharing videos of himself dancing to Jackson's music for the last five years and amassed over 150,000 Instagram followers in the process.

Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson

Fresh off his Oscar nomination for Rustin, Colman Domingo is booked and busy, including as the notorious Jackson patriarch. Joe Jackson has long remained a controversial figure thanks to his reputation as a hard-driving, singularly focused man. "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," Domingo reflected when the news was announced. Perhaps his second Oscar nomination is on the horizon?

Nia Long as Katherine Jackson

Jackson found his greatest champion in his mother, Katherine Jackson, who will be portrayed by Nia Long (Boyz N the Hood, Love Jones). "Katherine Jackson is an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family," Long said in a statement. "As a mother, she was selfless and endured forces beyond her control yet still managed to help build a legacy beyond measure. I am honored to bring her voice to the screen and share Michael Jackson's story with audiences everywhere.”

Miles Teller as John Branca

There's Michael Jackson's biological family, and then there's John Branca — the unyielding attorney who was at Jackson's side for more than three decades. Branca was instrumental in helping to usher Jackson from a fresh-faced boy-bander to a solo artist dubbed the King of Pop. Miles Teller is no stranger to playing behind-the-scenes figures in biopics, having portrayed The Godfather producer Albert S. Ruddy in The Offer. Now he'll embody one of the most enduring figures in Jackson's life. "Miles' finely tuned skills as an actor are up to the challenge of playing a man who is being examined for the pivotal role he played in Michael Jackson's life," Fuqua said in a statement. As one of the co-executors of Jackson's estate, Branca is serving as a producer on the film.

Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson

When you come up in the family business, it's going to take a village to bring your story to life. That's the case with Michael Jackson, who first rose to fame as the youngest, most precocious member of the Motown group, the Jackson 5. To make his biopic, you need to feature his brothers and bandmates.

Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson will share the role of Jermaine Jackson, with Harville as the younger version and Henderson as the older. Harville will be making his film debut, while Henderson previously appeared in Mindhunter.

Jermaine Jackson stayed with the Jacksons (renamed when other family members departed) through all of their breakups and reunions. His career has mostly focused on music producing and appearing on reality television.

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson

“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 statement. “I’m thrilled to bring this extraordinary group of actors and performers to worldwide audiences in this film.”

Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton will share the role of Marlon Jackson. Hunter has worked previously on Broadway, playing Young Simba in The Lion King. He's already played Marlon, in the national tour of MJ: The Musical. Horton has predominantly worked in short films and regional theater.

After his time with the Jackson 5, Marlon had a brief solo music career, before pivoting to real estate and philanthropy.

Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson

Tito Jackson has remained one of the most consistent members of the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons. He's also led a steady career as a blues musician since 2003.

Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill will share the role of the third Jackson brother. Edwards has been seen on Saint X, while Hill is best known for his role on The Michael Blackson Show on BET+ and his featured performance in the music video for "This Is America" by Childish Gambino.

Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson

Taking on the role of the eldest Jackson brother will be Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones.

McIntyre is a series regular on OWN's David Makes Man, as well as the star of Disney+ movie Magic Camp. David-Jones is best known as Connor Hawke on the CW's Arrow.

Jackie Jackson enjoyed an expanded role as a vocalist in the Jacksons following Michael's departure. He also had a brief solo career and has founded two record companies.

Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy

Without Berry Gordy, there is no Jackson 5 or Michael Jackson. The iconic founder of Motown Records changed music forever by giving a platform to Black artists, including the Supremes, the Temptations, and more. Larenz Tate will play the famous music mogul. Tate recently appeared on Starz's Power and the show's various spinoffs, but slightly older audiences will know him as the hunky heartthrob at the center of Love Jones.

Kat Graham as Diana Ross

As the leader of The Supremes and a solo artist in her own right, Diana Ross is a music icon. So much so that Motown selected Ross to introduce the Jackson 5 to the world, launching the careers of Michael and his brothers. The Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham will play the legendary performer. Graham is a recording artist, whose fourth studio album, Long Hot Summer, recently dropped. She also starred in Netflix rom-com Love in the Villa.

Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson

The Jackson family adds another member. Jessica Sula joins the cast as middle daughter and fifth child of the Jackson clan, La Toya Jackson. Though not a part of their earliest musical efforts, La Toya rose to prominence as part of the family's variety television show, The Jacksons. La Toya launched her own solo career in the 1980s. In addition to leading Netflix's Godless, Sula starred opposite Anya Taylor-Joy in M. Night Shyamalan's Split.

Liv Symone as Gladys Knight

There's more Motown where Diana Ross and Berry Gordy come from. Liv Symone will portray hit machine Gladys Knight, who was backed up by her family as well (known professionally as the Pips). Knight scored several number one hits for Motown, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight Train to Georgia." Symone is best known to audiences for recurring on Starz's Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark

Besides Berry Gordy, few people had as much influence on American music in the 1950s and '60s as Dick Clark. His American Bandstand introduced countless bands to the American public, including the Jackson 5, who made a legendary appearance on the show in the early part of their career. Kevin Shinick, who will portray Clark, is a multi-hyphenate writer, actor, and producer, working most notably on Cartoon Network's Robot Chicken.

Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones

If Berry Gordy defined Motown in the '50s and '60s, it was Quincy Jones who was responsible for the sound of the 1970s and '80s. The legendary producer (and songwriter/composter) first met Michael Jackson when the pop star was only 12 years old. Jones collaborated with Jackson on three of his most successful albums: Thriller, Bad, and Off the Wall. Kendrick Sampson, who had notable stints on Insecure and How to Get Away With Murder, will portray Jones.

KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray

Isolated by his fame, Michael Jackson struggled to make close friends — but one of his lifelong confidantes was Bill Bray. Bray was originally hired by Joe Jackson as security for the Jackson 5 in the 1970s, but he went on to form a lasting bond with Michael. KeiLyn Durrel Jones, who recurred on the final season of The Other Two, will bring Bray to life on screen.

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Related content:

• Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson to play the King of Pop in Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic

• Leaving Neverland director condemns upcoming Michael Jackson biopic

• Remembering Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson's turbulent 2-year marriage

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