"Michael": All About the Michael Jackson Biopic Starring the King of Pop&x27;s Nephew Kelsie Gibson, Nicole Pomarico, Samantha StutsmanSun, April 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC 0 Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'Credit: Kevin Mazur/ Lionsgate Michael is set to premiere on April 24, 2026 Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, is starring in the biopic as the late singer The official trailer for the film dropped in February 2026 Michael Jackson is taking center stage again — and this time, it's in theaters.
"Michael": All About the Michael Jackson Biopic Starring the King of Pop's Nephew
Kelsie Gibson, Nicole Pomarico, Samantha StutsmanSun, April 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM UTC
0
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'Credit: Kevin Mazur/ Lionsgate -
Michael is set to premiere on April 24, 2026
Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, is starring in the biopic as the late singer
The official trailer for the film dropped in February 2026
Michael Jackson is taking center stage again — and this time, it's in theaters.
The upcoming biopic by Lionsgate, titled Michael, will highlight the King of Pop's "life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career," per the official synopsis.
Stepping into the iconic shoes of the musician is Jackson's own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who is the son of Michael's brother Jermaine Jackson.
"I never dreamed to be an actor or even thought of playing him. But I knew it was a calling," Jaafar said in a behind-the-scenes video for the film. "Embodying Michael, I really had to earn the role and prove to the filmmakers that I was capable of becoming Michael. Essentially, it was starting at the roots and finding the authenticity."
From the plot to the cast, here's everything to know about Michael.
Who is in the cast of the Michael Jackson biopic?
Jaafar Jackson ; Michael JacksonCredit: Araya Diaz/Getty, Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty
Jackson's nephew Jaafar is set to play him in the new movie.
"It's incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life," director Antoine Fuqua said in a January 2023 statement to Variety. "There was such a spiritual connection when I first met Jaafar, who has a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera."
Jaafar was selected for the role after a worldwide casting search was conducted.
In January 2024, Lionsgate announced that 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi had been cast to portray a young Jackson, since the film covers his rise to fame with his brothers in the Jackson 5.
That same month, it was announced that Oscar-nominated Rustin actor Colman Domingo was cast as Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson.
Playing the Jackson matriarch Katherine Jackson will be Nia Long, who called her character "an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family."
She added, "As a mother, she was selfless and endured forces beyond her control yet still managed to help build a legacy beyond measure. I am honored to bring her voice to the screen and share Michael Jackson's story with audiences everywhere."
Rounding out the rest of the Jackson 5 group will be Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine, Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon, Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie.
Miles Teller is also set to play John Branca, who became Michael's manager after Joe, and was instrumental in helping launch his early career as a solo artist — notably with the release of "Thriller."
What will the Michael Jackson biopic be about?
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael.'Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate
According to the film's official synopsis, "Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop."
"The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, exemplified by his most iconic performances," the statement continues. "As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known."
The biographical movie is set to cover all aspects of the singer's life. However, it is currently unknown whether the film will address Jackson's controversies, including allegations of child sex abuse levied against him in the 2019 documentary film Leaving Neverland.
Advertisement
In January 2025, a report from Puck noted that the producers of the already-filmed project are facing a "nightmare scenario" after lawyers realized a clause in a settlement made with one of Jackson's former accusers presented an issue. Jackson was accused in 1993 of sexually abusing 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, whose family and the musician later settled out of court for a reported $25 million, on the agreement that the Chandlers can never be mentioned or dramatized in a movie, per Puck.
A source close to production told PEOPLE that the biopic was "not in total chaos," and that it was "moving forward" with reshoots in March 2025. (Spokespersons for Lionsgate, producer King and attorney Jonathan Steinsapir, who represents the Jackson estate, did not respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment about the reports at the time.)
Who is directing the Michael Jackson biopic?
Antoine FuquaCredit: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
The film will be helmed by Fuqua, who is best known for directing The Equalizer trilogy, Southpaw, Emancipation and several critically acclaimed documentaries such as What's My Name: Muhammad Ali and Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers.
"The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am," he said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson."
The statement continued, "I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work — the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV. His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible."
The film will be written by Oscar nominee and Tony winner John Logan and produced by Graham King, who previously worked on the Oscar-winning biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. King will produce along with John Branca and John McClain, who are the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate.
Is there a trailer for the Michael Jackson biopic?
The official trailer for Michael debuted in February 2026.
The two-minute teaser opens with a high-energy montage of Jaafar as Michael, captivating sold-out crowds. It then shifts to Domingo as Michael's father, delivering a stern message to his children about their future, as clips of the iconic Jackson 5 flash across the screen.
From there, viewers see Jaafar in the studio, stepping into Michael's solo era. "You know what I'm after?" Michael asks John Branca, played by Teller, who responds, "You want to be the biggest star in the world."
As Michael pushes to forge his own path, his mother, played by Long, reassures him: "Michael, I knew you were different from the moment you were born. You have a very special light."
The trailer ends with Jaafar in more of Michael's signature looks — moonwalking across the stage and recreating his iconic "Thriller" choreography.
"I believe music could change the world. Spread love, joy and peace. That is what I want the world to feel. Magic," he can be heard saying.
What has Michael Jackson's family said about the biopic?
Jermaine Jackson and Katherine Jackson during an announcement of the upcoming Jackson family reunion special "Jackson Family Honors" on August 30th 1993.Credit: Dave Hogan/Getty
In addition to having Jackson's estate involved as producers, the movie has already gotten the seal of approval from those closest to the singer, including his mother Katherine, who said that Jaafar "embodies" her son.
"It's so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers," she told The Hollywood Reporter in January 2023.
When did filming begin for the Michael Jackson biopic?
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael.'Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate
According to a press release shared by Lionsgate in January 2024, filming for principal photography began the week of Jan. 22.
The biopic wrapped filming in May 2024, per Fandango.
When will the Michael Jackson biopic be released?
Michael JacksonCredit: FRANCIS Sylvain/AFP via Getty
Michael will be released worldwide on April 24, 2026.
on People
Original Article on Source
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Read More
Source: Entertainment
Published: April 5, 2026 at 11:45AM on Source: PRIME TIME
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle
" Michael ": All About the Michael Jackson Biopic Starring the King of Pop&x27;s Nephew Kelsie Gibson, Ni...
