Where does Janet Jackson fit into the world of “Michael”?
The music superstar is nowhere to be seen as a character in director Antoine Fuqua’s new biopic about her late brother.
“I wish everyone had been in the movie,” LaToya Jackson of the Jackson brothers told me Monday night at the film’s premiere at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. “She was asked to do it, but she kindly declined, so we have to respect her wishes.”
Michael is played by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, Joe Jackson is played by Colman Domingo, and Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson. Jessica Sula plays LaToya. Giuliano Vardi plays the role of young Michael.
Fuqua said it was “very important” to him to have the Jackson family involved in the film.
“You’re telling someone’s life, so you want to make sure they’re happy,” he said.
Not only is Michael’s estate financially invested in the project, but his son Prince Jackson is also serving as executive producer. His other children Bigi and Paris are not involved. Parris publicly criticized the film for having “many inaccuracies” and “many outright lies.”
“This movie panders to a very specific part of my father’s fandom who are still living in their fantasies, and I think they will be happy with this movie,” she said in a video posted on social media.
Regarding Janet, Fuqua said, “I respect and love Janet so much, but I know that’s okay. She supports Jaafar and that’s what’s important.”
LaToya praised Jaafar’s performance.
“Oh my god, I have to say Jaafar was really great,” LaToya said. “I think you’ve seen the movie and you know how great he is and how great he is that you forget you’re looking at Mike and you’re like, ‘Oh, I forgot this is Jaafar.'”
As Variety’s Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin first reported in early April, Jackson’s estate had to pay up to $15 million for reshoots. Due to Chandler’s settlement with Jordan Chandler, the scene in which Michael is accused of child molestation by Jordan Chandler had to be cut because Michael was not allowed to be depicted or mentioned in the film.
“Michael” opens in theaters Friday.
