Colman Domingo to Play Michael Jackson’s Father Joe in Michael Biopic

Fresh off his Oscar nomination, Colman Domingo is ready to play another famous character.

The Rustin star is set to play the late Joe Jackson in an upcoming Michael Jackson biopic MichaelLionsgate and Universal Pictures International announced Thursday via a press release.

Scheduled for release on April 18, 2025, the biopic will star the King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role. Domingo, 54, joins him as Michael’s father Joe, who managed the Jackson 5 and daughters Rebbie, La Toya and Janet from the 1960s to the ’80s.

Remembering the life of Michael Jackson in photos

“I am excited to be a part of a film that explores the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon,” Domingo said in a press release.

He continued: “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 to Jaafar’s incredible transformation. After seeing it in rehearsal, I was blown away. There is something divine about the way Jaafar directs his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of the essence of Michael is simply on another level.”

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Joe Jackson 2009.

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“Few actors perform with Colman’s screen presence and willpower,” said the film’s producer Graham King. “We are so fortunate to have an actor of undeniable talent portraying Joe Jackson on screen. We couldn’t be more excited to have him join us on this journey.”

The biopic is directed by Antoine Fuqua, who praised Domingo’s “incredible range” as an actor in a statement. “He invests in the work in order to deeply experience his characters and understand their true essence and motivation. I am grateful to work with an actor with his passion and ability to portray the many sides of Joe Jackson: husband, father and manager.”

In an interview with EW, the director said he was “delighted” with Jaafar’s portrayal of his uncle. “It’s amazing how much he looks like Michael,” he said. “Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really amazing.”

Jaafar is Jermaine’s son who has performed for years with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Michael. Their father Joe landed the Jackson 5 a recording contract with Motown Records in 1969, launching them into superstardom. Before guiding his children, Joe was a boxer and guitarist. He died in 2018.

Colman Domingo in the movie “Rustin”.

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After winning an Emmy for his performance on Euphoria and gaining further recognition for his work in Zola and Oh Rainey’s Black BottomDomingo became one of the first nominees for the 2024 Oscar for his portrayal of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in the film produced by Barack and Michelle Obama Rustinthe actor will face off in the lead actor category alongside Bradley Cooper from MaestroPaul Giamatti from The HoldoversCillian Murphy from Oppenheimer and Jeffrey Wright from American fiction.

On Thursday, Diversity reported that Domingo was “waiting for a certain call” — from President Obama — following the news of his Oscar nomination. Obama, he said, congratulated the actor and said: “Enjoy this moment. Enjoy every step of this. It’s a wonderful thing. Have fun.”

Domingo also starred in a recent movie musical Purple. He will next appear on the big screen in an Ethan Coen film Dolls for takeawayin theaters from February 23.

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Source: HIS Education