“Michael,” the upcoming biopic about Michael Jackson from director Antoine Fuqua, has added actress Laura Harrier in a major role.
Harrier, of “BlacKkKlansman” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming” fame, will play pioneering music executive Susan De Passe in the Lionsgate project.
De Passe was a creative assistant to Motown founder Berry Gordy, and is credited with convincing Gordy to sign The Jackson 5 to his label. De Passe fronted the world-famous family group in the early days, and later played a crucial role in bringing the band and other Motown sensations to live television. She worked closely with Michael Jackson since childhood, standing by his side as a teacher and mentor, and helping him navigate the music business.
Harrier is a Screen Actors Guild Award nominee for her work in Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” and has also appeared in the Ryan Murphy Netflix original series “Hollywood.” She recently starred opposite Jack Harlow in an update of the classic comedy “White Men Can’t Jump.” She is repped by Entertainment 360, CAA, Peikoff Mahan Law and Shelter PR.
Jackson’s nephew Jafar Jackson will make his screen debut playing his uncle in Fuqua, while 9-year-old Giuliano Cro Valde will play the King of Pop from his early Jackson 5 days. Graham King of GK Films (“Bohemian Rhapsody “”) is produced with a screenplay by three-time Academy Award nominee John Logan.
“Michael,” which is currently in production, has added a large cast in recent weeks. Colman Domingo and Nia Long will play family matriarch Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller will play Jackson’s lawyer and advisor, John Branca. Eight actors will portray the Jackson siblings over two time periods. diverse Reported in February.
Jamal R. plays Henderson plays Jermaine Jackson in the film’s later years, while Jayden Harvill plays the younger version. Trey Horton and Jaylen Lyndon Hunter share the role of Marlon Jackson. Ryan Hill and Judah Edwards are Tito; and Joseph David Jones and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre play the older and younger versions of Jackie Jackson, respectively.
Lionsgate will release “Michael” on April 18, 2025. Variety profiled De Passe in 2022, read here about her experience and watch archival footage of the executive working with the Jackson 5.