Ahead of a special Monday night showing of \u201cMichael,\u201d Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said he\u2019s most excited to see children\u2019s reactions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want them to say, \u2018He\u2019s from where I\u2019m from. They\u2019re from where I\u2019m from\u2019,\u201d Melton said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to unlock something in the next generation when they see this major motion picture debut.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Jaafar](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PTB-L-POTEMPA-COL-0319-01.jpg\")
Jaafar Jackson, son of singer Jermaine Jackson and the nephew of the late Michael Jackson, is cast as the latter in the title role of the new Lionsgate Studios film \u201cMichael,\u201d opening April 26 nationwide and distributed by Universal Pictures. (Image courtesy of Lionsgate\/Universal Pictures)<\/p>\n
As part of the Gary International Black Film Festival, city leadership hosted a special screening of \u201cMichael,\u201d a new Michael Jackson biopic, for city residents at West Side Leadership Academy\u2019s Mark Spencer auditorium.<\/p>\n
According to a previous city news release, \u201cMichael\u201d tells the story of Michael Jackson\u2019s life and legacy, \u201ctracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.\u201d Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson, stars as Michael.<\/p>\n
Jaafar, Jermaine and Jackie Jackson all planned to attend the special screening, Melton said.<\/p>\n
Melton and Gary native filmmaker Deon Taylor explained why the Jackson family is important to them and the city as a whole.<\/p>\n
![\"Gary,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/ctc-33588791-e1756510525657.jpg\")
Gary, Indiana, Mayor Eddie Melton speaks at the inaugural 2300 Jackson Street Block Party on Aug. 29, 2025, at Michael Jackson\u2019s childhood home. (Dominic Di Palermo\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n
\u201cAnywhere you go in the world, when you say, \u2018Gary, Indiana,\u2019 the first thing they\u2019re going to say is, \u2018Michael Jackson,\u2019\u201d Melton said. \u201cI think we all wear that as a badge of honor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor, who now lives in California, is known as a producer and director for films, including \u201cFatale,\u201d \u201cBlack and Blue,\u201d and \u201cThe Intruder.\u201d He flew into Gary to attend Monday\u2019s film screening.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said, \u2018Man, I\u2019ve got to be there to give my full, maximum support,\u2019\u201d Taylor said. \u201cI\u2019ve extended (invitations) out to other celebrities to come, other actors and entertainers, just to come out to Gary and be a part of what\u2019s going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although Taylor didn\u2019t help put the screening together, he\u2019s partnered with Lionsgate Studios for previous movies. Taylor pushed them to do a screening in Gary.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s continually putting Gary\u2019s name back on the map in a positive way,\u201d Melton said.<\/p>\n
Melton was excited to see how interested the Gary community was in the screening. In about 48 hours, the event was almost entirely sold out, he said.<\/p>\n
Taylor couldn\u2019t put the excitement into words, he said. His parents, who have both passed, were both fans of Gary and wanted to see the city thrive, and he carries that same feeling now.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to have a movie of this magnitude open, for Gary to be seen, and for one of Gary\u2019s sons to be displayed, is generational,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cThey\u2019re all going to come together, they\u2019re probably going to sing all the songs we love. That\u2019s happening in Gary now, and in a few weeks, that will be happening across the globe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Melton and Taylor said that they hope \u201cMichael\u201d helps the world see the talent that comes from Gary, including Michael Jackson and the rest of his family.<\/p>\n
Since he was elected, Melton\u2019s administration has worked to pay homage to celebrities who are Gary natives. In August 2025, the city hosted a 2300 Jackson Street block party, a two-day event celebrating the Jackson Five\u2019s legacy, at Roosevelt High School\u2019s campus.<\/p>\n
The city has also showcased various murals with well-known people throughout its history, including a Jackson Five mural in Miller and a Deniece Williams mural in the city\u2019s Midtown area.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to remember, Gary is a gold mine,\u201d Taylor said. \u201cThe biggest star in the world came out of here, and across the board, there\u2019s countless musicians, filmmakers and athletes. It\u2019s been a secret for a very long time and has been overshadowed. \u2026 But this movie allows the world to understand and see all its greatness and splendor once again.\u201d<\/p>\n