The upcoming biopic Michael is set to bring the life of Michael Jackson to the big screen. The film has been in development since 2019, when producer Graham King first announced the project. It is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan.
The film aims to show different stages of Michael Jackson’s life, starting from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global music figure. According to the official description, it will explore both his public performances and personal life. It states, “tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.” Another part adds, “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.”
The film features Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, in the lead role. This will be his first acting project. Other cast members include Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as John Branca.
Trailers released earlier show parts of Michael’s journey, including his time in the studio, family relationships, and stage performances. In one moment, he says, “I believe music could change the world. Spread love, joy, and peace. That is what I want the world to feel: Magic.” Another line from the trailer includes, “I just have all these songs in my head. I just gotta get ’em out.”
Despite the scale of the project, the film has faced criticism and challenges. Some critics have raised concerns about how it handles past allegations against Michael Jackson. Filmmaker Dan Reed criticised the script, calling it a “complete whitewash” and questioning its portrayal of events.
There have also been reports of legal complications related to past settlements, which may have required changes to the script. Additionally, Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter, has said that the script she saw was “dishonest” and “filled with inaccuracies.”
The film is currently scheduled to release in theatres on April 24, 2026.