Los Angeles, Feb. 11 -- Jaafar Jackson has opened up about portraying his late uncle, pop icon Michael Jackson, in the upcoming biopic Michael, saying he had to "really earn the role," according to People.

A behind-the-scenes look at the film debuted on February 10, offering a glimpse of Jaafar's transformation into the King of Pop for the big screen.

"I never dreamed to be an actor or even thought of playing him. But I knew it was a calling," Jaafar, 29, said in the video. "Embodying Michael, I really had to earn the role and prove to the filmmakers that I was capable of becoming Michael. Essentially, it was starting at the roots and finding the authenticity," as quoted by People.

Jaafar is one of seven children of Jermaine Jackson, M...