According to Variety the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” is embracing the Motown sound — announcing key castings including Larenz Tate as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and Kat Graham as the legendary Diana Ross.
As the film chronicles Jackson’s rise to prominence — first as a member of the Jackson 5, then as a solo artist — the record label will factor in significantly.
“Power” franchise star Tate (who coincidentally played “Thriller” producer Quincy Jones in 2004’s “Ray”) takes on the Motown impresario Gordy, who redefined American music by platforming such acts as the Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips and Diana Ross & the Supremes.
Graham (“Love in the Villa,” Tyler Perry’s upcoming “Black, White & Blue”) portrays Ross, who, as lead singer of the chart-topping group, was asked to officially introduce the Jackson 5 to the world and remained a lifelong influence on Michael Jackson.
Other new cast members of the Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International project include Jessica Sula (“Split”) as La Toya Jackson, Michael’s older sister; Liv Symone (“Power Book III: Raising Kanan”) as Gladys Knight; Kevin Shinick (“Robot Chicken”) as Dick Clark; KeiLyn Durrel Jones (“The Other Two,” “How to Die Alone”) as Jackson’s former security-turned-trusted friend and confidante Bill Bray; and Kendrick Sampson (“Insecure”) as industry icon Quincy Jones, who first met Michael Jackson when he was just 12 years old. The pair would go on to collaborate on three of Michael’s most successful albums: 1979’s “Off the Wall,” 1982’s “Thriller” and 1987’s “Bad.”
“Michael,” from director Antoine Fuqua, is currently in production and has added a slew of stars in recent weeks. Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson will make his screen debut playing his uncle in the film, while 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will portray the King of Pop from his early days in the Jackson 5.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long will play family heads Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller will play Jackson’s attorney and advisor John Branca. Eight actors will portray Jackson’s siblings over two time periods, while Variety exclusively reported that Laura Harrier will play portray pioneering female music executive Suzanne de Passe.
Graham King of GK Films (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) is producing the film, which is set to hit theaters on April 18 2025. Three-time Oscar nominee John Logan wrote the script. Prince Jackson, Jackson’s eldest son, is working with the production on set, side-by-side with the filmmakers, on behalf of his siblings.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to bring together such a gifted group of actors for this film,” stated King in a press release. “What they bring to these key roles provides a rich backdrop for the movie, adding to the extraordinary ensemble.”
“I’m thrilled that we were able to bring together such a gifted group of actors for this film,” stated King in a press release. “What they bring to these key roles provides a rich backdrop for the movie, adding to the extraordinary ensemble.”
Twitter reaction to Larenz:
Larenz Tate played Quincy Jones in Ray and now Berry Gordy in the Michael biopic. I mean… pic.twitter.com/jC9glRzOhh
— baby kidada. (@ChasingKia) March 25, 2024
and
????New key roles in the Michael Jackson biopic #MichaelMovie
Larenz Tate as Berry GordyKat Graham as Diana Ross
Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson
Liv Symone as Gladys Knight
Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark
Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones
KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray pic.twitter.com/dxlu832H9Y
— ???????????????????????????????????? | MJ fan (@iamveronica777) March 25, 2024
and
The shout I just made for Larenz Tate. UGH! Lemme go watch Dead Presidents Chile! https://t.co/q6pgdO1iXx pic.twitter.com/Ltk7fQG0e9
— Bring Back Shame ❤️ (@Chanel_Dupree93) March 25, 2024
And Kat:
This actress: Kat Graham [born in Geneva, Switzerland, and raised in Los Angeles, California, United States. Her father, Joseph, is of Americo-Liberian descent, and her mother, Natasha, is Jewish (from a family from Poland and Russia] – has just been cast to play Diana Ross in… pic.twitter.com/zg6CI6KltC
— Movie Monster #ADOS (@Pauline98476699) March 25, 2024
and
So I'm reading that Kat Graham, who has just been cast as Diana Ross in the #MichaelMovie….her father is godfather to two of Quincy Jones kids. Interesting connection.
— andjustice4some – Michael Jackson FAN account (@andjustice4some) March 25, 2024
and
my mutuals from different sides of twt are now going back and forth about kat graham..lord fix it???????????? pic.twitter.com/aauDMhw2Th
— pharellꨄ (@westseint) March 25, 2024
and
Kat Graham will play Diana Ross in Michael Jackson’s biopic. pic.twitter.com/Vp4OrrFVEQ
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) March 25, 2024
