Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, has said he had no plans to become an actor before being cast as his uncle in the biographical film Michael.
In a Discussing Film interview circulating online this morning, the 28-year-old explained that his early ambitions were in sport.
“Growing up, I wanted to be a golfer. I was into sports… I never dreamed of wanting to be an actor until the moment I had that conversation with [producer] Graham King,” he said, referring to King, who offered him the lead role.
Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, makes his screen debut in the film, directed by Antoine Fuqua. His performance has drawn strong responses from both critics and audiences. Trade publication Deadline described his portrayal as “dazzling,” while viewers on X have focused on his physical transformation and stage accuracy.
One user wrote that his performance made them “forget that it’s not Michael there,” while another commented, “Never wanted to act and pulled off an outstanding performance.” Others highlighted his background, with one post noting, “From golf dreams to acting, that’s a big switch.”
Some reactions have been lighter in tone. Several users suggested he could take on another real-life figure, with one writing, “Time to be Tiger Woods in his biopic.”
In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight, monitored by The News Chronicle, Jackson also spoke about his work on the film and the possibility of continuing the role. He said he would be interested in recreating the “Smooth Criminal” sequence if a follow-up is produced. “It would be an honor to do that,” he said.
The film itself has performed strongly at the box office. Since its release on April 24, Michael has grossed between **$300 million and $430 million worldwide, depending on the reporting period, placing it among the highest-grossing films of 2026 so far.
Discussions for a potential sequel have already begun, with producers indicating that unused footage from the original cut could support a continuation of the story.
The film’s commercial success has also contributed to renewed global interest in Michael Jackson’s music, including a rise in streaming and chart performance for his earlier recordings.
Watch Interview Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/oawLIY2NGhk
