As the Venice Film Festival brought international stars to the Italian coast, Colman Domingo stood center stage, not only as the host of the prestigious amfAR benefit gala but also as a leading figure in one of the most anticipated and debated films in production: Michael, the official biopic of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
The Oscar-nominated actor, 55, will portray Joe Jackson, the Jackson family patriarch, in the upcoming Lionsgate film. Domingo opened up about the role while speaking to PEOPLE on Sunday, August 31, at the amfAR event, where he shared insights into his approach to playing one of music’s most controversial father figures, and revealed that he has the full support of Michael Jackson’s children, Paris and Prince Jackson.
Paris and Prince Jackson Show Their Support
“They’re very much in support of our film,” Domingo said of the pop icon’s children. “I’m excited to be here at amfAR tonight with Paris. It feels like that’s a nice way for us to be together.”
Paris Jackson, 27, not only attended the event, held annually to raise funds for HIV/AIDS research and awareness, but also performed as one of the evening’s musical guests, alongside pop star Ava Max. Prince Jackson, 28, has been involved with the film from behind the scenes, with Domingo calling him “a man of the film.”
He described Paris as “lovely” and noted how meaningful it is to have both siblings in his corner as he prepares to take on a character as layered and complicated as Joe Jackson.
Honoring the Whole Jackson Legacy
While Michael focuses on the life and career of its titular figure, portrayed by Michael’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, Domingo emphasized that the film is also about the family that helped shape one of the most iconic entertainers in history.
“The thing that has inspired me the most is this very profound and prominent family called the Jacksons,” Domingo told PEOPLE. “We would not have any of this music that we used to have great memories about — the moments, the big moments that we all share — without the Jackson family. And I’m not just saying just Michael — the entire Jackson family.”
That emphasis on family is what initially drew Domingo to the project. Though Joe Jackson has long been the subject of controversy for his strict parenting style and often harsh discipline, Domingo says his intention is not to paint a black-and-white portrait, but to unearth the complexity of a man who helped launch a global musical dynasty.
Finding the Humanity in Joe Jackson
Domingo is no stranger to tackling real-life figures on screen. He recently portrayed civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in Netflix’s Rustin, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination. For Michael, he’s applying the same level of care, depth, and research.
“Right now I seem to be on the track of interrogating some of these real-life human beings,” Domingo previously told PEOPLE in early 2024. “I want to find their humanity, I want to find their heart and their humor. It may go against public opinion sometimes, but I think that’s my responsibility — to find the complex version of these people.”
Joe Jackson, who passed away in 2018, was infamously written out of Michael Jackson’s will and remained estranged from his son at the time of his death. However, Domingo said his portrayal will not seek to excuse or vilify, but rather to explore.
“We’re going to look at Joe through a nuanced lens,” he shared. “He was part of the machine that built the Jackson brand, and also part of the cost.”
A Night of Celebration and Purpose
The amfAR benefit gala where Domingo spoke was a glamorous yet heartfelt affair, raising more than $3.4 million for HIV/AIDS research. The evening honored artist Julian Schnabel with the Award of Inspiration, presented by Jude Law, and featured an international guest list of filmmakers, celebrities, and activists.
For Domingo, who is openly gay and a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, the night was personal as well as professional. Hosting an event that champions health equity while preparing to star in a film that probes generational trauma and fame feels like a full-circle moment for the actor.
What to Expect from Michael
Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Emancipation) and produced by Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King, Michael is billed as a comprehensive look at the artist’s life, from childhood stardom to global superstardom, and the controversies that followed.
The film, originally slated for a 2025 release, has reportedly undergone reshoots that could push its debut to 2026. Lionsgate has yet to confirm an updated release date, but anticipation, and scrutiny, remain high.
Still, with Domingo’s thoughtful approach, support from the Jackson family, and a cast that includes members of Michael’s own lineage, Michael is shaping up to be a deeply personal, multi-dimensional portrait of a pop culture giant.
For Domingo, it’s an opportunity to help humanize a legacy that has long been mythologized. “We get into a lot of things,” he teased earlier this year. “And I think audiences are ready for it.”
