Janet Jackson's mysterious absence from the blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic Michael may finally have an explanation - and it could be because Miss Jackson wants a movie all to herself.
Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew who delivered the acclaimed performance as the King of Pop in Michael, has revealed that Janet has apparently been entertaining the idea of making a biopic about her own extraordinary life.
Speaking with GQ Middle East, Jaafar was asked about Janet's conspicuous absence from Michael, which featured numerous members of the famous Jackson family but completely left Janet out.
"I don't want to speak too early, but Janet has ideas of maybe doing her own film," Jaafar revealed.
And suddenly Janet's disappearance from Michael makes considerably more sense.
Jaafar suggested that portraying Janet in Michael's movie could create an awkward problem down the road. If an actress became established as Janet in the Michael films, what happens if Janet subsequently produces her own movie and wants someone entirely different to play her?
"So having someone portrayed in this and then choosing a different actor for her own is just..." Jaafar said, leaving the thought tantalizingly unfinished.
Importantly, Jaafar did not announce that a Janet Jackson biopic is officially happening. His comments indicate that Janet has considered the possibility, rather than confirming that a project has entered production.
Still, it is the clearest indication yet that Janet may have cinematic plans of her own.
Her absence from Michael had already generated plenty of speculation. At the film's Los Angeles premiere in April, La Toya Jackson confirmed that Janet had been approached about appearing in the story but declined.
"I wish everybody was in the movie," La Toya said at the time. "She was asked and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes."
Rumors subsequently circulated about whether Janet had problems with the authorized film, particularly after reports of disagreements within the Jackson family. Director Antoine Fuqua, however, maintained that Janet supported Jaafar and the project despite choosing not to be represented in it.
Jaafar's latest revelation now offers another possible explanation: Janet may simply want control over how Janet Jackson's story reaches the screen.
And what a movie that could be.
Janet's life hardly needs to exist as a subplot in somebody else's biopic. She grew up inside America's most famous musical family before building an identity dramatically separate from her brothers. Her story could encompass her childhood television career, difficult early marriages, her artistic breakthrough with Control, the cultural phenomenon of Rhythm Nation 1814, her relationship with Michael, the Super Bowl controversy, motherhood and her remarkable longevity as a performer.
It could also give Janet something Michael could never realistically provide: the opportunity to tell the Jackson family story through her eyes.
For now, fans shouldn't start buying imaginary movie tickets. There is no announced title, actress, director, studio or release date.
But Jaafar has just cracked the door open - and the possibility of Janet Jackson finally getting the big-screen treatment is suddenly a lot more real.
