Antoine Fuqua says bringing Michael Jackson’s life to the big screen has been years in the making and a journey that grew more personal over time.
Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, the director revealed he spent “two years and one month” working on Michael, the upcoming biopic charting Michael Jackson’s rise from the Jackson 5 to the height of his solo superstardom.
Fuqua explained that the film follows Michael from his earliest performances with his brothers through the Bad era, what he describes as the moment he fully stepped into his role as a global icon. Along the way, the story highlights key milestones, including Off the Wall, the Thriller era, and the unforgettable moonwalk performance at Motown 25.
For Fuqua, the film is more than a biography, it’s personal. He credits Jackson’s groundbreaking success, including becoming one of the first Black artists to break through on MTV in a major way, as something that helped shape his own career path.
“Michael just transcends any artist I’ve ever experienced in my life,” Fuqua said. “I watched him refuse to be put in a box.”
That influence extended to Fuqua’s own ambitions, pushing him beyond directing R&B and rap videos into broader creative territory.
The director also shared his reaction to Jaafar Jackson, who plays Michael. Despite having no prior acting experience, Jaafar impressed the entire crew from day one, particularly during a demanding performance of “Bad” in front of 500 extras.
Fuqua also praised Colman Domingo, who portrays Joe Jackson, noting his complete transformation in makeup and the impact of his early scenes, some of which made the final cut immediately.
