Almost two decades after his death, the legacy of Michael Jackson continues: his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, has been cast as him in this biopic alongside a star-studded cast. Other celebrities cast in the movie include Kendrick Sampson, starring as Quincy Jones, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, and Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy, to name a few.
MICHAEL will depict Jackson’s life across all eras — childhood in the Jackson Five with his brother, as a teenager as he navigated the early stages of his solo career, and his adulthood throughout the peak of fan favorites like Thriller. The movie will also dive deeper into Jackson’s life beyond who fans knew him to be, but how his friends and family experienced him.
Jafaar Jackson’s strong resemblance to his uncle helped boost momentum around the story as fans eagerly wait to see how he will truly embody the story, as many films of the past have missed the mark. Fans across TikTok and Instagram have even shared their live reactions in excitement over the film and have been discussing their predictions for what may be included.
The film’s trailer opens with Jackson repeating affirmations to himself about confidence and strength before flashing through different moments of his life, including private conversations with family, numerous musical performances, and extensive fan love. As well as the internal struggle that came with venturing beyond family to launch his solo career.
Fans can expect to see Jackson’s beloved chimp, Bubbles, depicted, and how pivotal the Pepsi commercial incident was in being a stepping stone for his career trajectory in turning a negative into a positive.
Additional cast members include Kat Graham, Miles Teller, Derek Luke, Jessica Sula, Laura Harrier, and Juliano Krue Valdi. On the production side, John Branca, John McClain, and Graham King share the responsibility with John Logan’s role as screenwriter, paving the way for writing throughout the film.
Heavy anticipation for the film stems from the directorial leadership of Antoine Fuqua after his previous work on “Training Day” and the involvement of the Jackson estate in production.
With the release date being pushed back in 2025 on more than one occasion, fans are joyous and can now confidently mark their calendars and reminisce on the story that has transcended generations. Outside of friends and family being fans of the pop icon, a new generation can now experience firsthand the essence of his true impact as depicted on screen and learn about musical artistry that has paved the way for the artists of today’s time.
The film is set to release in theaters on April 24, 2026. Check out the exciting trailer below: