Michael Jackson biopic unveils first trailer after delays, reshoots and controversy, with Jaafar Jackson starring and filmmakers promising to humanise but not sanitise his story.
The first official trailer for Michael, the highly-discussed Michael Jackson biopic, has finally been released, offering a first look at the film after months of production delays and mounting controversy.
Filming on the movie wrapped back in May 2024, and the film was originally set to be released in April 2025. That date was pushed to October 2025, before reshoots in June delayed it yet again. Now, despite earlier reports that the project might be split into two parts, the trailer confirms it will debut as a single feature film, with a new release date set for April 2026.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for action hits like Training Day, The Equalizer and Olympus Has Fallen, the biopic features a script from Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan, whose credits include Gladiator, The Aviator and Hugo.
In a unique casting choice, the late pop icon will be portrayed by his real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson. The film also stars Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, along with appearances from Miles Teller, Nia Long and Laura Harrier.
Producer Graham King said the goal of Michael is to “humanise but not sanitise” Jackson’s life, while leaving audiences to decide how they feel after watching. “Michael’s life was complicated,” King said. “As a film-maker, I look to humanise but not sanitise and present the most compelling, unbiased story I can capture in a single feature film.”
But the project hasn’t been without criticism. Allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson resurfaced in 2019 with the release of the documentary Leaving Neverland, which included testimonies from two accusers. Director Dan Reed, who helmed that documentary, reportedly read a draft of the script and called it “startlingly disingenuous,” claiming it downplays accusations against Jackson.
Further controversy followed when actor Colman Domingo said Jackson’s children, Paris and Prince, were supportive of the film. Paris Jackson later publicly denied involvement, writing on Instagram that she had “zero percent involvement,” adding that she only read an early draft, gave feedback that was ignored, and moved on. “Not my monkeys not my circus,” she wrote.
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Paris also acknowledged that while some fans will be satisfied, she felt the film caters to “a very specific section” of her father’s fanbase who “still live in the fantasy.”
Made with a reported budget of $155 million, Michael arrives following the underwhelming box office performance of this year’s Bruce Springsteen biopic, which earned just $31 million. Now, all eyes are on whether this portrayal of one of music’s most complex and influential figures will resonate with audiences—or reignite controversy.
Michael is scheduled to hit theaters in April 2026.
