The teaser trailer for Michael, a biopic on the life of Michael Jackson, has created buzz online. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, will finally get its theatrical release on April 24, 2026, after the film was pushed back several times since its original schedule for April 2025.
Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, will be playing the King of Pop in the film, along with Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. The cast also includes Kat Graham, Laura Harrier, Derek Luke, Larenz Tate, and Miles Teller.
Antoine Fuqua is known for movies like Training Day, The Equalizer, and Olympus Has Fallen. The film is produced by Graham King, who also produced Bohemian Rhapsody, the biopic of Freddie Mercury. The script for the film was written by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan.
The film will look at the life and fame of Michael Jackson, starting from his childhood with the Jackson 5 to becoming the world's biggest star. The film will also explore the making of the star’s biggest albums and tracks, and the lawsuits. It will take audiences through Jackson's life behind the camera.
The trailer quickly racked up millions of views online. Fans shared excitement and praise for the clips of Jaafar portraying the superstar. He is seen wearing some of Jackson's most recognisable outfits and performing the dance moves. Jafaar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, the oldest sibling in the Jackson family. Fans compared clips of the movie with videos of Michael Jackson’s performances and music videos. They also discussed his voice and laugh in the trailer, which had an uncanny similarity to his uncle’s.
video comparison of the new MJ biopic, their dedication and accuracy to nailing down the costumes, dance moves, and cinematography is deeply admirable and is truly a love letter to michael jackson himself 🥺🥺#MichaelJackson pic.twitter.com/GIcUb7Sfs9
— ⋆ (@ofanotherl9ver) November 6, 2025
Lionsgate, the production company behind the film, also said that they were planning to release a Michael Part 2. "We're not ready to confirm plans ... [but] the creative team is hard at work making sure we're in a position to deliver more 'Michael' after the first film," they said. The film had to be split due to its original 3 1/2 hour length. The release was also pushed back due to controversy centring on the portrayal of one of the star's accusers, who said that he was sexually abused. Their settlement with the Jackson estate had guaranteed that they would never be dramatised. The Jackson estate, who were involved with the production of the film, had overlooked this information.
The making of the film received a lot of criticism. Paris, Jackson’s daughter, said that she was not involved in the making of the film as the producers did not take any of her input, and said that it caters to a particular part of the fanbase, the Guardian reported. The film was also criticised by the maker of Leaving Neverland, Dan Reed, who said that the draft script of the film discredited the sexual abuse allegations made by the two men featured in his documentary against the late star.
The film has, however, earned approval from Jackson’s mother, who said that Jaafar “embodies” her son. "It's so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers," she said last year.
