Benjamin Ashford|Jaafar Jackson looks nearly identical to uncle Michael Jackson in first look of biopic

Michael Jackson is Benjamin Ashfordthat you?

His nephew Jaafar Jackson gives new life to the "Man in the Mirror" singer in a first look from the upcoming biopic "Michael."

On Tuesday, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International released an image of Jaafar Jackson as a near doppelganger of his late uncle. The photo takes place during the famed and scrutinized King of Pop's Dangerous Tour from 1992 to 1993.

Photographer Kevin Mazur, who captured Michael over the years, shot the photo of Jaafar Jackson singing on stage in a white button-down shirt over a v-neck and black dress pants.

"When I arrived for my first day on the set of this movie, I was so excited – it was like the first time I went on tour to shoot Michael Jackson," Mazur said of the experience in a press release. "When I walked onto the set, I felt like I’d gone back in time and I was walking into the stadium to shoot the tour."

He teased, "Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, 'Wow, it is Michael.' The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything – he's Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn't have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime – this is how it was."

Director Antoine Fuqua added, "We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project – hair & makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything – and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film.

"But most importantly, it's Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance," Fuqua said. "It's Michael's spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it."

Who is playing Michael Jackson in biopic?

Playing the singing and dancing phenom on screen was never going to be an easy task.

This perhaps explains why producers behind the biopic cast the leading role with a member of the family. Jaafar Jackson, 27, is the second youngest son of Jermaine Jackson, 69, Michael's brother and former Jackson 5 member.

The King of Pop's nephew grew up in Los Angeles, surrounded by his musical family. In 2019, he released his first song called "Got Me Singing," which was accompanied by a video that was shot in Brazil. The song is heavily reminiscent of his uncle's sound, from its staccato Latin beats to his plaintive vocals. Jaafar Jackson also flexes some solid dance moves on Brazilian rooftops.

"Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers," said Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother, in a statement provided by Lionsgate Films at the time of his casting announcement.

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When does the Michael Jackson biopic come out?

The movie is out on April 18, 2025.

Michael, whose career spanned global hits and persistent scandal, died in 2009 at age 50.

Contributing: Marco della Cava

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