Lionsgate Finds Young Michael Jackson In Juliano Krue Valdi For Antoine Fuqua’s ‘Michael’
deadline.comNine-year old Juliano Krue Valdi has won the role to play young Michael Jackson in Lionsgate and UIP’s Antoine Fuqua’s directed Michael.
Valdi will play the young Michael Jackson as he and his brothers rise to fame as the Jackson 5, the singing sensation behind such iconic hits as “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.” “When Michael was very young – eleven years old – he astounded the world, possessing the spirit and talent of an adult.
He was truly an old soul. He and Juliano have that in common,” said Graham King. “Beyond being a phenomenal young talent, Juliano is deeply inspired by Michael and his music, and has managed to translate that inspiration into a presence and performance that captures the true magic of young Michael Jackson.” Fuqua added, “If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived?
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.
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