The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael is drawing attention not just for Jaafar Jackson’s casting, but for the astonishing transformation that turns him into the King of Pop. Behind that striking resemblance is Oscar-winning makeup artist Bill Corso, who recently shared how the team recreated the music legend’s ever-evolving appearance for the big screen.

Speaking at the Berlin premiere of Michael, Bill Corso opened up about the extensive work involved in bringing Jaafar Jackson closer to his uncle’s iconic image. In an interview with Kevin Frazier, he explained that the film covers multiple eras of Michael Jackson’s life, requiring intricate makeup, hair styling, and costume design to capture each stage authentically.

“But we really did so many little things through him for each look. You know, I mean he’s got like 30 looks in the movie and it’s crazy, I was surprised how much he looks like him sometimes,” Corso said while chatting with Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier at the film’s Berlin premiere.

One of the biggest highlights for Corso was recreating the Thriller era, including the legendary zombie makeup from the music video. For someone who has admired Michael Jackson’s looks for years, the chance to recreate those visuals for a feature film was both challenging and rewarding.

That same sense of responsibility was echoed by the film’s cast, including Colman Domingo, who has spoken candidly about the pressure of bringing the Jackson family story to the screen.

Colman Domingo says filming Michael came with “high stakes”

A biopic such as Michael carries immense weight, and the pressure was felt by the cast and crew involved in the movie. One such actor was Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson in the film. In a recent interview with Cinemark Theatres, the actor was asked to describe Michael in one word, and his response reflected the emotional intensity behind the production.

“I mean listen, the stakes are so high. It wasn’t easy, but it was a privilege,” Domingo said.

Indeed, the stakes are high, given that the movie is expected to focus not only on the life of Michael Jackson but also on the legacy he built. According to reports, the film will explore key moments from Jackson’s rise to fame, including his iconic 'Bad' era. Early glimpses of Jaafar Jackson’s performance, including his recreation of the legendary moonwalk, have already sparked excitement among fans online.

With a transformative lead performance, detailed makeup work, and a production team aware of the story’s emotional weight, Michael is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched music biopics in recent years.

What do you think about Jaafar Jackson’s transformation into Michael Jackson for Michael? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Karishma Dasgupta

Edited by

Itti Mahajan