Colman Domingo Transforms for Role as Joe Jackson in Michael Jackson Biopic

Colman Domingo is fully embracing his craft, pushing boundaries for his latest role as Joe Jackson, the father of Michael Jackson, in the upcoming biopic Michael. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film promises to shed light on the life of the controversial Jackson family patriarch.

In an interview with W Magazine for their Best Performances feature, Domingo revealed the lengths he went to for the role, including a striking physical transformation. "I don’t even look like myself in this film," he said, explaining how his appearance was altered with prosthetics and lightened skin to match Joe Jackson’s complexion.

The Madness actor detailed the changes, noting that prosthetics were applied above his eyes and that his nose was reshaped. He also adopted Joe’s evolving style over the years, portraying him as a younger, slicker man and later, as an older figure with a signature "pooch" and proudly worn belly.

Joe Jackson, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 89, was a polarizing figure. He played a pivotal role in shaping the Jackson family’s legendary careers but faced allegations of abuse from some of his children.

Domingo, known for his work in Rustin, explained his reasons for taking on the complex role. “There are so many conflicting opinions about him—public versus personal,” he said. “I want to understand what made him tick and how he shaped an artist like Michael Jackson. Whether it’s good, bad, or ugly, I’m curious to find out.”

Michael is set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, offering fans a closer look at the man behind the King of Pop’s rise to fame.