(Left to right:) Colman Domingo; Joe Jackson.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic
Fresh off hisOscar nomination,Colman Domingois ready to play another famous figure.
TheRustinstar is set to portray the late Joe Jackson in the upcomingMichael JacksonbiopicMichael, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International announced Thursday via a press release.
Scheduled for release April 18, 2025, the biographical film will star the King of Pop’s nephewJaafar Jacksonin the title role. Domingo, 54, joins him as Michael’s father Joe, who managed the Jackson 5 and daughters Rebbie,La Toya, andJanetfrom the 1960s through the ’80s.
“I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon,” Domingo said in the 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 for Jaafar’s incredible transformation. After seeing him in rehearsal, my mind was blown. There is something divine about the way that Jaafar is channeling his late uncle. His talent and embodiment of Michael’s essence is simply on another level.”
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Joe Jackson in 2009.Truscello/WireImage
Truscello/WireImage
“Few actors present themselves with Colman’s screen presence and force of will,” said the film’s producer Graham King. “We’re so fortunate to have an actor with his undeniable talent portraying Joe Jackson on screen. We couldn’t be more excited to have him join us on this journey.”
Directing the biopic isAntoine Fuqua, who in the statement commended Domingo’s “incredible range” as an actor. “He puts in the work to deeply inhabit his characters and understand their true essence and motivation. I’m grateful to be working with an actor with his passion and ability to portray the many sides of Joe Jackson: a husband, a father and a manager.”
Jaafar is the son ofJermaine, who performed alongside brothers Jackie, Tito, Marlon and Michael for years. Their father Joe booked the Jackson 5 a recording contract withMotown Recordsin 1969 which launched them to superstardom. Prior to managing his children, Joe was a boxer and guitarist. He died in 2018.
Colman Domingo in “Rustin”.NETFLIX
NETFLIX
After winning an Emmy for his performance onEuphoriaand notching further accolades for his work inZolaandMa Rainey’s Black Bottom, Domingo became one of thefirst-timersamong the 2024 Oscar nominations. For playing civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in the Barack- and Michelle Obama-producedRustin, the actor will face off in the leading actor category alongsideBradley CooperofMaestro,Paul GiamattiofThe Holdovers, Cillian Murphy ofOppenheimerand Jeffrey Wright ofAmerican Fiction.
On Thursday,Varietyreported that Domingo was “waiting around for a certain call” — fromPresident 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 the recent movie musicalThe Color Purple. He will next appear on the big screen in Ethan Coen’sDrive-Away Dolls, in theaters Feb. 23.
source: people.com
