The hotly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled Michael, is rounding out its cast as it goes into production.
On Monday, Lionsgate announced that the project has cast the monumental roles of Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight and La Toya Jackson, as well as iconic producers and execs Berry Gordy and Dick Clark.
Vampire Diaries alum Kat Graham is set to take on the role of the legendary Ross, who helped bring the Jackson 5 to national prominence.
Additionally, Larenz Tate — best known for his performances in Menace II Society, Dead Presidents and the TV drama Power— will be taking on the role of Gordy, Motown founder and one of the most influential players in music history.
As the founder of Motown Records, Gordy was instrumental in discovering and developing some of the most world renowned talent of all time, including Ross, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & the Pips and the Jackson 5, among countless others.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Sampson — best known for his work on the TV comedy Insecure — has been tapped to play iconic composer and 28-time GRAMMY winning artist and producer Jones.
Jones famously worked with the King of Pop on three of his most successful and memorable albums — Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982) and Bad (1987).
Split star Jessica Sula will also be stepping into some big shoes, as she is set to play La Toya, Michael’s older sister.
La Toya gained national fame in the 1970s after performing with her family on the TV show The Jacksons before launching a successful solo career in the 1980s.
Broadway vet, writer and TV personality Kevin Shinick will portray American Bandstand host and famed TV producer Clark.
Famously, one of the biggest performances that rocketed the Jackson 5 to superstardom came when they made an appearance on American Bandstand in 1970.
Actress Liv Symone — best known for her work in the Broadway production of Aladdin and the TV drama series Power Book III: Raising Kanan — has been tapped to portray Motown legend Knight.
Finally, The Other Two actor KeiLyn Durrel Jones will play one of the most important figures in Jackson’s adult life, Bill Bray.
Bray, a retired police officer, was hired by Joe Jackson to work security for the Jackson 5, and went on to become a trusted friend and mentor to Michael throughout his life. Bray traveled with the megastar and handled security on all of his tours until his death at age 80 in 2005.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by Oscar nominee John Logan and produced by the team behind Bohemian Rhapsody, Michael will star Jackson’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as the titular performer, and a host of Hollywood heavy hitters as his friends and family members.
Apart from Michael’s immediate family, the film — which details the King of Pop’s life and career over the span of decades — also features some of the most iconic figures in music who knew and worked with Michael during his life.
Scheduled for release on April 18, 2025, a press release on the film states: “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 release states. “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.”
