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Jason Weaver speaks to PEOPLE at an event celebrating his hit drama The Chi
The actor, who played a young Michael Jackson in 1992’s miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, calls the new biopic Michael “amazing”
“I know the amount of work that you need to put in and personal sacrifice and commitment in order for your performance to be believable,” Weaver says, praising Jaafar Jackson’s work on the big screen as the King of Pop
Jason Weaver, known for playing a young Michael Jackson in the 1992 miniseries about Jackson’s family, has thoughts on the music icon’s new biopic.
“I’m so proud of everybody that’s been involved in that film,” Weaver, 46, tells PEOPLE, shouting out lead actor Jaafar Jackson, who plays the late King of Pop in Michael. Jaafar, 29, is the son of Michael’s brother, Jermaine Jackson.
“I saw myself,” The Chistar, who played a young Michael in 1992 miniseriesThe Jacksons: An American Dream, says. Praising Jaafar, Weaver adds the movie’s entire cast “was amazing.”
“Being that I did play Michael Jackson, I know the amount of work that you need to put in and personal sacrifice and commitment in order for your performance to be believable,” the actor tells PEOPLE at a May 13 farewell celebration of Lena Waithe‘s drama The Chi in New York City.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’.
Credit: Lionsgate
“I just think that Jaafar exceeded all of our expectations,” continues Weaver. “Of course he looks like him because he’s Jermaine’s son. But past that, I think he really embraced and made it his own.”
The Jacksons: An American Dream aired on ABC in 1992. It covered the five decades in which the Gary, Ind.-based Jackson family went on to launch some of the most successful music artists in showbiz. Jermaine, 71, was among the show’s producers and was played onscreen by his son, Jermaine Jackson Jr.
Billy Dee Williams as Berry Gordy (left) and Jason Weaver as Michael Jackson (right) in ‘The Jacksons: An American Dream’ (1992)
Credit: ABC/courtesy Everett Collection
“I am flattered that people still look back at the Jacksons miniseries with fond memories and complimentary words,” Weaver tells PEOPLE. “But I also want people to really take the time — appreciate the nostalgia and what that was at that moment — but also give this film an opportunity to exist in our hearts as well.”
The Antoine Fuqua-directed, John Logan-written Michael was developed with the blessing of many of the late Michael’s family members, well after he died in 2009 at age 50. In addition to Jaafar, it stars Juliano Krue Valdi, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier and Mike Myers.
Michael and his siblings’ parents Joe and Katherine are played by Colman Domingo and Nia Long, respectively.
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Weaver recently took a walk down memory lane, visiting 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Ind., where the siblings grew up. Calling the trip “surreal” yet “rewarding,” the actor says, “It definitely brought me back… I wanted to pay homage to Michael and the family, but I also wanted to feel that for myself to be able to have that experience.”
Michael is in theaters now. The Chi premiered its eighth and final season on Paramount+ in May.
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