Colman Domingo insisted “everyone has got a story to tell” amid the backlash surrounding his Michael Jackson biopic. The film has generated significant buzz in Hollywood, with early production estimates exceeding $150 million.
The 54-year-old actor portrays the late King of Pop’s dad Joe Jackson in Antoine Fuqua’s ‘Michael’ – which stars the ‘Thriller’ hitmaker’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role – and though the project, which is produced by the executors of the Jackson estate, has faced criticism because of the multiple accusations of child abuse made against the singer, the ‘Sing Sing’ star didn’t worry about the comments. The film is set to be one of the most ambitious musical biopics ever produced.
“Anything surrounding those ideas about him never came into play with me,” he said. “It’s about the character, more than anything. And the idea of working with the estate, Antoine Fuqua and Jaafar Jackson — who is exceptional.” Industry insiders note that Jaafar’s resemblance to his uncle is remarkable, both in appearance and performance style.
And Colman tries not to worry about people’s concern about the heavy involvement of Michael’s estate in the film. The estate’s participation has granted the production unprecedented access to Michael’s music catalog and personal archives.
“I don’t know. I think I divorced myself from that early on,” he said. “I learned that I’m in service to the piece, not to the response. That’s the only reason I can perform the way I do.” The film’s script reportedly underwent multiple revisions to ensure historical accuracy.
And he stressed that the movie will examine Michael – who accused his dad of abuse – as a “complex human being”. The production team spent over a year researching and conducting interviews with those who knew Jackson personally.
“I believe everyone has a story to tell,” he added. The film’s narrative spans several decades, covering Jackson’s journey from child star to global icon.
The ‘Rustin’ star is used to polarizing opinion with his work, particularly in Broadway musicals such as ‘Passing Strange’ and ‘The Scottsboro Boys’ but he insisted he’s only ever been doing his job. His theater background spans over two decades, with numerous acclaimed performances.
“My job was not to be liked. My job was to tell the story. It wasn’t about approval. And I’ve taken that to my film and television work,” he said. Domingo’s approach to challenging roles has earned him critical acclaim throughout his career.
However, he thinks it is important audiences understand he is only playing a character because he doesn’t like having negative energy directed his way. The distinction between actor and role has become increasingly important in the age of social media.
“When I backhanded Fantasia in [‘The Color Purple’] some people would say, ‘I’m gonna feel some kind of way about him.’ That’s OK. You should have a strong feeling about it, but hopefully it’s not about me as a person,” he said. ‘The Color Purple’ adaptation received multiple award nominations, showcasing Domingo’s versatility as an actor.
“When I played Victor Strand on ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ people hated me on Twitter. Sometimes I would correct them: ‘You hate Victor Strand, which is fine. You don’t hate me,'” he explained. “Because I don’t like that energy coming at me.” His role in the series ran for seven seasons, earning him a dedicated following.
The Michael Jackson biopic, scheduled for release in 2025, has already generated significant interest from distributors worldwide. The film’s production team includes several Oscar-winning craftspeople, from cinematography to costume design. Industry experts predict it could become one of the highest-grossing musical biopics ever, potentially surpassing the success of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which earned over $900 million globally.
The casting process for supporting roles was equally meticulous, with hundreds of actors auditioning to portray various members of the Jackson family and inner circle. The production has also employed numerous technical advisors who worked with Michael Jackson during his career to ensure authenticity in the portrayal of his creative process and performances.
