“Switched at Birth” star Sam Adegoke has been cast in the lead role of Michael Jackson’s bodyguard in the Lifetime biopic, “Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland.”
Based on the best-selling book “Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days,” the film is told through the eyes of the King of Pop’s trusted bodyguards, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard.
Adegoke will play Beard, while Chad L. Coleman will play Whitfield. Navi, a renowned Michael Jackson tribute artist, will star as Jackson in his acting debut.
Adegoke’s past credits also include “Murder in the First” and “Wicked City.” He has also appeared on episodes of “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” “Code Black” and “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
He is represented by Abrams Artists Agency and Untitled Entertainment.
Suzanne de Passe, Madison Jones and Robert Teitel are executive producing. “Searching for Neverland” is produced by Silver Screen and Dianne Houston is directing from a script written by Elizabeth Hunter.
Jackson has been the subject of numerous film and television depictions over the years. Most recently, uproar arose after Joseph Fiennes was cast to play the legendary musician in an episode of the British series “Urban Myths.”
Following public outcry, British TV outlet Sky pulled the episode. The now-scrapped episode was based on a Vanity Fair story in which a former employee of Jackson’s claimed that the pop star invited Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor to see him perform in New York City prior to the 9/11 attacks.