Michael Jackson biopic casts Juliano Krue Valdi as young version of the King of Pop

Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson biopic has found its young MJ.

Lionsgate announced Thursday that 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi has been cast in Michael and will play the iconic singer during the early period of his career, when he rose to fame as a member of the Jackson 5 with hits like "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."

Valdi will share the title role with Jaafar Jackson, nephew of the late King of Pop, who will portray the adult version of his uncle.

Just a peek at Valdi's social will confirm his dance skills — his moonwalk is ready for the big screen — and his admiration for Jackson. Valdi has amassed nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram, where he shares videos of himself dancing to MJ hits and donning Jackson-inspired clothing.

"This opportunity is really important to me because Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, and he is very special in my heart," Valdi said in a statement. "I've been dancing to his songs for five years now. He makes me feel really special and makes me feel good about myself. I love the energy of Michael Jackson."

According to a news release, Michael will deliver a "riveting and honest portrayal" of the "brilliant yet complicated" Jackson, who enjoyed childhood stardom before departing the family group to conquer pop culture as a solo artist. For all his success, he was also a polarizing figure, facing multiple controversies and several allegations of child sexual abuse. The film is set to "explore all aspects of Michael's life" prior to his death in 2009, at 50.

Speaking to the difficulty of finding someone to embody the Jackson 5 singer, Fuqua said it proved even more challenging than finding an actor for the adult role, "because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived?"

He added, "In the end, that was our focus — talent — and we looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael's spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano's undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list."

As for Jaafar's role in the film, Fuqua previously spoke to EW about the striking resemblance between the actor and his uncle. "It's uncanny how much he's like Michael," he said. "Sounds like him, dances like him. I mean, it's really uncanny."

Michael will begin filming next week and is slated to hit theaters April 18, 2025.

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