The official teaser trailer for the Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” has been released. As fans around the world tune in, the stage is set for the first look of a portrait of life and legacy headlined by Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew (son of Jermaine Jackson). Watch the teaser above and read important details below.
film
Michael is positioned as a cinematic depiction of Jackson’s life and influence, focusing on his life beyond his music and early performances and tracing his trajectory from his rise with the Jackson 5 to the pinnacle of solo superstardom. In the trailer, Kendrick Sampson (who plays producer Quincy Jones) says, “I know you’ve been waiting for this song for a long time,” and then says, “The track’s done. The song’s ready. Let’s start from the top.”
cast and creators
Jaafar Jackson makes his feature debut as Michael. Director Antoine Fuqua, whose credits include Training Day, Southpaw and The Equalizer series, said in a statement: “It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life. When I first met Jaafar, there was such a spiritual connection. He has a natural ability to imitate Michael and great chemistry with the camera.”
The ensemble includes Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother. Laura Harrier plays Suzanne de Passe, a businesswoman who helped develop the Jackson 5’s wardrobe and stage act. Giuliano Crews Vardi plays a young Michael Jackson. Miles Teller plays John Branca, an entertainment lawyer and manager. Coleman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, Michael’s father.
Fuqua will direct from a screenplay by three-time Academy Award nominee John Logan, whose screenwriting credits include Gladiator, The Aviator, Hugo and Skyfall. The film will be produced by Oscar winners Graham King, John Branca and John McClain.
Seeing it for the first time
The teaser features recreations of Jackson’s early solo runs, including touchstone stage moments and images fans will be familiar with. When it was decided that the movie would be made into a movie, Jaafar posted in 2023, “I am humbled and honored to be able to bring Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all my fans around the world, I hope to see you soon.”
Fuqua framed this project through the lens of film and music he has cultivated over the years. “The first film of my career was a music video, and I still feel that the combination of film and music is a deep part of who I am,” he said in a statement. “For me, there is no artist with more power, charisma, and pure musical genius than Michael Jackson…the first black artist to be in heavy rotation on MTV.” Fuqua added, “His music and his images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on screen with his music was irresistible.”
context
The project arrived with strong interest and some debate regarding depiction and scope. Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson responded to reports about her involvement earlier this year. In a post addressed to Coleman-Domingo, she wrote, “(Coleman), please don’t tell people I was ‘helpful’ on the set of a movie that I had 0% involvement in (lol). That’s so weird,” she wrote, “I read one of the first drafts of the script and wrote notes about what was disingenuous (and) didn’t sit well with me. And when they didn’t address it, I moved on with my life.”
Paris Jackson added further context on social media, posting: “So much of this movie panders to a very specific segment of my dad’s fandom who are still living in their fantasies. I’m sure they’ll be happy.”
release date
We’ll find out what happens when Michael opens in Australian cinemas on April 23, 2026, and in US cinemas on April 24, 2026.
universal pictures
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