Jaafar Jackson is wasting no time building on the success of Michael.
The 30-year-old actor has joined Will Smith and AnnaSophia Robb in Supermax, an upcoming action thriller from Amazon MGM Studios and Miramax. The project marks Jackson’s first major role since portraying his late uncle, Michael Jackson, in the blockbuster biopic Michael.
Details surrounding Jackson’s character are being kept under wraps, but reports indicate he will play a central role in the film.
Supermax follows two FBI agents investigating a mysterious murder inside what is described as the most secure prison in the world. Smith and Robb will reportedly play the agents at the center of the dangerous investigation.
The movie will be directed by David Gordon Green, whose credits include the recent Halloween trilogy and The Exorcist: Believer. Production is expected to begin in mid-August, with the finished film set to stream exclusively on Prime Video.
David Weil and David J. Rosen wrote the screenplay and will also serve as executive producers. Will Smith and Adam Fishbach are producing through Smith’s Westbrook production company, while Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman are also attached as producers.
Smith was first announced as the film’s lead earlier this year. Robb later celebrated her addition to the cast on Instagram, telling followers that she was “extremely grateful” and ready to step into the action-heavy role.
Jackson’s casting comes after his widely discussed acting debut in Michael, which followed the life and career of the King of Pop.
Before being selected to portray his uncle, Jackson had focused largely on music and had not planned to pursue a career in acting. He previously admitted that he had “never dreamed” of becoming an actor before auditioning for the highly anticipated biopic.
Jackson was officially announced as the film’s star in January 2023 following an extensive casting process. His resemblance to Michael, combined with his singing and dancing abilities, helped him secure one of Hollywood’s most closely watched biographical roles.
The movie introduced Jackson to audiences as a leading man and earned him praise for recreating his uncle’s distinctive voice, movements and stage presence. His performance also sparked early conversation about what direction his acting career could take beyond projects connected to the Jackson family.
With Supermax, Jackson will move away from music history and into a high-stakes action story alongside one of Hollywood’s most established stars.
The project also represents another major action role for Smith, who has spent decades leading franchises including Bad Boys, Men in Black and Independence Day. However, Supermax will place him inside a new original story rather than another sequel or established franchise.
No official release date has been announced, and further details about Jackson’s character are expected to remain private as filming gets underway.