The very first trailer has been released for Michael, the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring his nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
The film, from Lionsgate, stars Jackson, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, with Miles Teller and Colman Domingo. Written by John Logan, the film is produced by Graham King, John Branca and John McClain,
The expansive ensemble also includes Larenz Tate, Derek Luke, Kat Graham, Jessica Sula, Kendrick Sampson and more.
It was once rumored that the film would be split into two movies. Though it appears that it will just be one film now, Deadline reports that they hear another film is still coming.
For more intel, per Deadline’s report: “The delay with Michael has been twofold, one being its length — there was a first cut in excess of 3½ hours. There also have been reports that the initial cut of the movie made references to 13-year old Jordan Chandler, who accused Jackson of molestation and who the pop singer settled with for $20M in 1994 with no admission of guilt. While the screenplay […] a developed, approved by the estate and shot to include Chandler, after production wrapped, it was revealed there was an agreement for him not to be included. Hence the production had to go back and re-approach the material.”
What’s the plot of ‘Michael’?
Here’s the official description:
MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.
When does the film come out?
The film hits theaters on April 24, 2026. Watch the trailer and check out the images below:
