Jaafar Jackson on 'Michael' Sequel, Cut Third Act and Oscar Race

Key Points:

• Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, achieved his goal of surpassing $1 billion at the worldwide box office with Antoine Fuqua’s biopic “Michael,” making it the first biopic to reach this milestone and Lionsgate’s biggest release ever.
• Jackson prepared for two years to portray Michael, studying his voice, movements, and mannerisms extensively, and received praise for his authentic performance, which has sparked Oscar buzz.
• Filming “Michael” was emotionally significant for Jackson, as it involved reenacting his family’s history and receiving heartfelt approval from his father, Jermaine Jackson, who felt Jaafar’s portrayal closely resembled Michael.
• Jaafar is currently filming his second movie, “Supermax,” and remains open to reprising his role in a potential “Michael” sequel, though no official production date has been set.
• Jackson embraces his Colombian heritage through his mother and acknowledges the complex legacy of Michael Jackson, emphasizing that understanding Michael starts with his music and philanthropic work.