‘Wonderstruck’ actor to play young Kaepernick
Netflix has found its young Colin Kaepernick.
The streaming service announced Tuesday that Jaden Michael will portray the former 49ers quarterback and social justice activist during his formative Central Valley high school years in “Colin in Black & White.”
Michael’s credits include Todd Haynes’ drama “Wonderstruck,” Baz Luhrmann’s critically acclaimed “The Get Down,” and the indie feature “Custody” alongside Viola Davis and Ellen Burstyn. Most recently, Michael starred in the lead role in Lorne Michaels’ comedy “Vampires vs. the Bronx.”
Michael, 17, was born and raised in New York City.
“Colin in Black & White” is a limited series created by Kaepernick and Oscar nominee and Emmy Award winner Ava DuVernay. Michael Starrbury (“When They See Us”) writes and serves as executive producer, alongside DuVernay and Kaepernick, who will appear as himself as narrator of the series.
On his Twitter account, Kaepernick addressed the casting:
“I never thought I would be casting a young me in a show about my life,” reads his post. “I can’t wait for the world to see @ItsJadenMichael be an all-star on @ netflix #ColinInBlackAndWhite @ava.”
The six- episode series will provide an “introspec
tive look” at Kaepernick’s adolescent years as a Black teen growing up in Turlock with a white adoptive family. It will follow his journey to become a standout quarterback while defining his identity and lending insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today, Netflix said. A release date for the series has not been announced.
“Colin in Black & White” is one of two film projects Kaepernick is involved with. In July, he announced that he had partnered with the Walt Disney Company to produce a documentary series that will cover what he has done over the past five years, including his final season on the 49ers in 2016 when he knelt during the national anthem to spark discussion on racial inequality and police misconduct.
After the 2016 season ended, Kaepernick became a free agent and went unsigned. He filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming it was working against him to keep him from playing, before reaching a settlement with the league in 2019.