Juliano Valdi Hopes to Play Miles Morales in the MCU After ‘Michael’
Juliano Valdi has been navigating newfound fame that most 12-year-olds can only dream of, all while preparing to start seventh grade this fall. His standout role as a young Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’ has made him one of the year’s most discussed newcomers, and he’s eager to leverage that success for an even bigger opportunity.
In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Valdi shared how dramatically his life has shifted since the film’s release in April. He described the experience as surreal and admitted he never envisioned starring in a movie, let alone one that would become the highest-grossing biopic of all time. Despite the sudden spotlight, he remains grounded and thankful for the support he has received.
That support has come from some truly legendary figures. Valdi recounted meeting Stevie Wonder at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, where the music icon personally complimented his performance. He described that moment as deeply fulfilling, given Wonder’s status as one of music’s greatest artists.
With ‘Michael’ behind him and rumors of a sequel circulating, Valdi is already eyeing his next dream role. He expressed to Entertainment Weekly that he is at an age where he genuinely hopes to portray Miles Morales. While he admits he isn’t quite 15 yet, he would love the chance to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Valdi’s aspiration to play Miles Morales is not without merit. Recently, both Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ star Tom Holland have expressed their desire to see the character brought to life in a live-action format. Holland has even shown interest in mentoring the young actor who eventually lands the role, similar to how Robert Downey Jr. guided him.
For Valdi, his connection to Spider-Man runs deep. He shared that his admiration for the character began at a young age, recalling how Tobey Maguire’s ‘Spider-Man’ left a lasting impression on him as one of the best action films he had ever seen. He also mentioned, with excitement, that his mom has told him he resembles Miles Morales, a fun piece of validation as he pursues the role.
Valdi’s portrayal in ‘Michael’ showcased Jackson during his early years with the Jackson 5, acting alongside Jaafar Jackson, who played the adult version of the King of Pop. Although they never shared a scene, Valdi described their bond as a brotherhood, praising Jaafar’s transformation into the role as exceeding expectations.
With ‘Michael’ surpassing $1 billion at the global box office and discussions of a sequel heating up, Valdi expresses hope for a follow-up film. However, his focus has clearly shifted to new creative aspirations. Securing the role of Miles Morales would mark a significant transition from biographical drama to superhero action, but with the star power advocating for the character’s live-action debut, Valdi’s interest adds another compelling name to the growing conversation.
With ‘Michael’ now available for streaming on Starz, complete with bonus behind-the-scenes content, Valdi’s next chapter remains unwritten.
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