Jaafar Jackson Brings Michael Jackson to Life in First Biopic Trailer
Fans of Michael Jackson got their first look at the singer’s life on the big screen with the release of a teaser trailer for the new biopic Michael today.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine, portraying the King of Pop and performing his iconic songs and dance moves.
MICHAEL – in theaters April 24, 2026. pic.twitter.com/xd5Mj0c8yr
— Michael (@michaelmovie) November 6, 2025
The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan. It features an ensemble cast including Colman Domingo as Michael’s father and manager Joe Jackson, Nia Long as his mother Katherine, and Kat Graham as Motown legend Diana Ross. Miles Teller plays Michael’s lawyer and manager John Branca, while Juliano Krue Valdi appears as a young Michael.
In the trailer, Jaafar Jackson wears the signature costumes and wide-brimmed hats that Michael was famous for on stage.
According to the film’s synopsis, the movie “highlights both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career,” giving viewers “a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before.” The film is produced by Graham King, who also produced the award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody.
Colman Domingo, fresh off his Oscar nomination for Rustin, told PEOPLE in February that he was “having a good time” working on the project.
The story follows Michael Jackson’s life and career from his early days with the Jackson 5 in the late 1960s through to his passing in 2009.
The cast also includes Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy, Derek Luke as Johnnie Cochran, Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones.
The film’s development began in 2019, with Lionsgate announcing it in 2022. Jaafar Jackson was cast as Michael in January 2023, and filming ran from January to May 2024, with additional photography completed in June. The biopic is scheduled for release in the United States on April 24, 2026, through Lionsgate, with Universal Pictures handling international distribution.
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