Michael, the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic from Antoine Fuqua had continued to expand its cast and had added Larenz Tate, Kat Graham, Kendrick Sampson and more in key roles.
Tate will play Berry Gordy, the Motown Records founder who “redefined American music by developing and giving a national platform to such acts as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Diana Ross & the Supremes, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips – and the Jackson 5 – to name a few.”
Graham will play Diana Ross, “lead singer of the chart-topping Motown group The Supremes, who was one of the label’s most successful groups in the 60’s before Diana embarked on a celebrated and decades-long solo career in the 70’s, along with acclaimed acting roles. Given her star power and influence, Motown would have Diana officially introduce the Jackson 5 to the world. She remained a life-long influence on Michael.”
Jessica Sula will play La Toya Jackson, “the fifth child and middle daughter of the Jackson family, who first gained recognition in the mid-1970s on the family’s variety TV series The Jacksons. She went on to launch a solo career releasing multiple albums in the 1980s.”
Liv Simone will play Gladys Knight, “whose soulful voice and electric performances alongside her family (as the Pips) produced several #1 hits for Motown, including ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’; later, her signature song, ‘Midnight Train to Georgia,’ would bring worldwide popularity to the Empress of Soul.”
Sampson is Quincy Jones, “who first met Michael when he was just 12 years old. The pair would go on to collaborate on three of Michael’s most successful albums: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987).”
KeiLyn Durrel Jones will play Bill Bray, “who was originally hired by Joe Jackson in the 1970s as security for the Jackson 5. Bray went on to work exclusively with Michael for nearly three decades, becoming one of his most trusted friends.”
Lastly, Kevin Shinick plays Dick Clark, “host of American Bandstand, where the Jackson 5 made a legendary early appearance in their rise to fame.”
“I’m thrilled that we were able to bring together such a gifted group of actors for this film,” said producer Graham King in a statement. “What they bring to these key roles provides a rich backdrop for the movie, adding to the extraordinary ensemble.”
They join announced cast members including Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who will play his pop star uncle. Juliano Krue Valdi will play Jackson as a child. Colman Domingo will play patriarch Joe Jackson opposite Nia Long as Joe’s wife Katherine.
The rest of the cast includes actors playing the younger and older versions of Jackson’s brothers; Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine Jackson), Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton (Marlon Jackson), Judah Edwards adn Rhyan Hill (Tito Jackson) and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones (Jackie Jackson). Miles Teller has been cast as John Branca, Jackson’s attorney and legal adviser and Laura Harrier will play Suzanne de Passe.
Here’s the official description: Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop. This epic, cinematic film will examine Jackson’s triumphs and tragedies — from his human side, to his public and private struggles, to the accusations and the 24/7 media microscope Jackson lived under, even at his artistic apex. The all-star filmmaking team will also capture Michael’s undeniable creative genius, recreating his most memorable, iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look at one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.
The Lionsgate film, which is in production now, is set for release on April 18, 2025.
