Young “Michael” star Juliano Valdi says he hopes to play this Marvel superhero after Michael Jackson (exclusive)

Derek LawrenceMon, August 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC

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Juliano ValdiCredit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicKey Points -

Juliano Valdi is hoping to play Miles Morales, a.k.a. Spider-Man, in the MCU.

The young Michael star speaks to Entertainment Weekly about how the film changed his life.

Stevie Wonder is among the legends to praise Valdi’s performance as a young Michael Jackson.

Juliano Valdi is no ordinary 12-year-old. First off, as summer approaches its end, he says that he’s actually excited about diving into the school work that awaits him in seventh grade. Oh, and he’s also the star of the highest-grossing biopic of all time.

“It’s so surreal, I never thought I would be in a movie in a million years,” Valdi tells Entertainment Weekly of starring as young Michael Jackson in Michael. “[Life] has changed a lot, but I can handle it. I’m really grateful for the love.”

Released in April, the Antoine Fuqua-directed film chronicles the first 30 years of the King of Pop’s life, opening with Valdi playing Jackson as a child during the early days of the Jackson 5, before Jackson’s nephew Jaafar steps in as the adult version.

While they never shared the screen, Valdi says he and Jaafar are now forever bonded as “brothers,” praising his fellow actor’s transformation into MJ as “better than anyone could have imagined.”

Jaafar Jackson and Juliano Valdi on the set of ‘Michael’Credit: Glen Wilson

Valdi is earning his own rave reviews, whether it be from critics, fans, or some of Jackson’s iconic collaborators.

“At the L.A. premiere, I was talking to Stevie Wonder, and he told me that I did a wonderful job,” Valdi said, lighting up at the memory. “That really meant a lot to me because Stevie Wonder is an absolute legend. I mean, I felt complete.”

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Michael became the first biopic to cross the $1 billion mark at the global box office, and there’s been plenty of talk of a sequel to finish telling Jackson’s story. (Valdi “hopes” there is a Part 2.) When asked why Michael connected so strongly with audiences, Valdi points to Jackson being “one of the greatest of all-time,” only to quickly correct himself.

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“No, you know what, he was the greatest of all-time,” he declares. “To see Jaafar on screen bring that exact energy is amazing. And so I think people love this movie because it’s almost like they’re actually watching Michael Jackson.”

Miles Morales in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing/Marvel Entertainment/Courtesy Everett

It doesn’t get much more high-profile than making your film debut as Michael Jackson, but, for his follow-up, Valdi is looking to take an even bigger swing.

“I’m getting to the age where I really wanna play Miles Morales, so hopefully I can do that,” Valdi says of the other Spider-Man. “I’m not 15 yet, but I would love to hop in the MCU.”

The Afro-Latino teenager from Brooklyn is currently the lead of the animated Spider-Verse movies, voiced by Shameik Moore. But Marvel boss Kevin Feige and Spider-Man: Brand New Day star Tom Holland have both been very vocal about introducing the character in live-action form.

“I definitely have a desire to bring Miles Morales to the screen and to shepherd whoever the lucky young kid is who gets that job, in the way that Robert Downey Jr. did for me,” Holland recently told the AP. “I think that would be a really awesome way to end my tenure as Spider-Man.”

Well, Valdi is raising his hand — and he’s already secured a key endorsement.

“My love of Spider-Man came early on,” he shares. “I remember when I saw Spider-Man with Tobey Maguire, and it was the best action movie that I’ve ever seen. Also, my mom says that I look like Miles Morales, so that’s really cool.”

Michael is now streaming on Starz and is also available with behind-the-scenes special features on Digital and 4K.

on Entertainment Weekly

Original Article on Source

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