The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, aptly titled Michaelhas released its first teaser, introducing the world to a transformative performance from the King of Pop’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
The film is directed by Antonie Fuqua and is scheduled to be released on April 24, 2026.
The minute-long trailer, released on November 6, gives a very powerful insight into the strange way Jaafar portrays his late uncle.
The film will be an in-depth look into the complicated life of the global superstar.
It will be an intimate look at the life and long-standing legacy of one of the world’s most influential pioneers. The official synopsis states that it will explore the journey of the global superstar who became known around the world as the King of Pop.
Who’s Who in the Michael Jackson biopic
- Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
- Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson (formidable patriarch of the Jackson family)
- Nia Long as Katherine Jackson (Michael’s beloved mother)
- Jermaine Jackson played by Jamal R. Henderson (adult) and Jayden Harville (young).
- Marlon Jackson played by Tre Horton (adult) and Jaylen Lyndon Hunter (young).
- Tito Jackson played by Rhyan Hill (adult) and Judah Edwards (young).
- Jackie Jackson played by Joseph David-Jones (adult) and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (young).
- Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson: Michael’s older sister.
- Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones: The legendary producer who worked closely with Michael on his landmark albums “Off the Wall”, “Thriller” and “Bad”.
- Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy: The founder of Motown Records, the label that launched the Jackson 5.
- Kat Graham as Diana Ross: The superstar who mentored the young Jackson 5 and was a longtime friend of Michael’s.
- Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe: the pioneering Motown executive who helped develop the Jackson 5’s early career.
- Liv Symone as Gladys Knight: the “empress of soul” who helped bring Berry Gordy to the attention of the Jackson 5.
- Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark: the famous television host of “American Bandstand”.
- Miles Teller as John Branca: the longtime entertainment lawyer and executor of Michael’s estate.
- Derek Luke as Johnnie Cochran: the famous lawyer who represented Michael during the 1993 allegations.
The screenplay, written by John Logan, is said to be an adaptation of the child sexual abuse accusations made against Jackson, and producer Graham King has reportedly said he wanted it to be a humanization and not a sanitization of the story.
The project has had a complex journey to the screen, including industry strikes and reports of massive reshoots to polish the film, which is now expected to receive considerable screen time.
The original footage, however, created a lot of hype and made Michael one of the most anticipated biopics of the decade.
