Michael Jackson biopic

Introduction: Why Everyone Is Talking About the Michael Jackson Biopic

After years of rumors, delays and reshoots, the official Michael Jackson biopic — simply titled Michael — is finally on the way. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael’s own nephew Jaafar Jackson, this big–budget musical drama promises to trace the King of Pop’s journey from child prodigy to global icon, while also touching on the controversies that followed him.

If you’ve been searching for “Michael Jackson biopic”, “Michael movie release date 2026” or “Michael Jackson biopic cast”, this guide pulls together everything we know so far — in one place.

1. Michael Jackson Biopic Release Date (2026)

The Michael Jackson biopic is officially titled Michael and is scheduled for release on April 24, 2026 in the United States, with IMAX screenings confirmed. Lionsgate will distribute the film in the U.S., while Universal handles most international territories. 

The project went through multiple date changes — including earlier plans for 2025 — before finally landing on the April 2026 slot, following additional photography and post-production work. 

Quick facts:

• Title: Michael

• Genre: Biographical musical drama

• U.S. release date: April 24, 2026

• Format: Theatrical + IMAX

• Distributor: Lionsgate (U.S.), Universal (international)

2. What Is the Michael Jackson Movie “Michael” About?

The film aims to cover Michael Jackson’s life from his early days with The Jackson 5 through his explosive solo career in the 1980s and beyond. Expect to see re-creations of:

• Iconic stage performances

• Studio sessions that shaped classic albums

• Behind-the-scenes family dynamics with Joe and Katherine Jackson

• The making of legendary music videos like “Thriller” and “Smooth Criminal” 

Producers have promised an “honest” and “unbiased” look at Michael’s life — including his artistic genius and the darker chapters that surrounded him. 

3. Michael Jackson Biopic Cast: Who Plays Who?

One of the biggest talking points around the film is its star-studded cast.

Key cast members confirmed so far:

• Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson

• Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael Jackson

• Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson (Michael’s father and manager)

• Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother

• Miles Teller as John Branca, Michael’s lawyer and manager

• Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Motown star and close early influence

Jaafar Jackson’s casting is especially symbolic: as Michael’s real-life nephew, he brings both family resemblance and a lifelong familiarity with the Jackson legacy.

4. Who Is Jaafar Jackson – The New “Michael” on Screen?

If you’ve been googling “Jaafar Jackson Michael”, here’s a quick snapshot of the actor stepping into the King of Pop’s shoes.

• Full name: Jaafar Jackson

• Family: Son of Jermaine Jackson, making him Michael’s nephew

• Background: Began singing and dancing as a child; released his debut single “Got Me Singing” in 2019 

• Acting debut: Michael is his first major film role

Director Antoine Fuqua has praised Jaafar’s ability to emulate Michael’s unique stage presence and vocal style, describing a “spiritual connection” when he first saw Jaafar perform.

For fans, this makes the casting especially intriguing: the performance will be judged not only on accuracy, but on whether Jaafar can capture Michael’s emotional complexity.

5. Who Is Directing the Michael Jackson Biopic?

The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for movies like Training Day, The Equalizer and Emancipation. 

Creative team highlights:

• Director: Antoine Fuqua

• Screenwriter: John Logan (Oscar-nominated writer of Gladiator and The Aviator) 

• Producer: Graham King, who previously produced the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody

With this lineup, Michael is positioned as a large-scale, awards-aimed studio film rather than a small, experimental biopic.

6. How Much Music Will Be in the “Michael” Movie?

One of the biggest advantages for this biopic is access to Michael Jackson’s music catalog. Reports suggest the film will feature over 30 songs, including live performances and re-staged versions of historic moments. 

Fans can expect to hear classics like:

• “Billie Jean”

• “Beat It”

• “Thriller”

• “Smooth Criminal”

• “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough”

The combination of cinematic storytelling and full song rights is a major reason the movie is being marketed as an “event” film rather than a standard biopic.

7. Controversies Surrounding the Michael Jackson Biopic

It wouldn’t be a Michael Jackson project without public debate. The film has already attracted controversy on several fronts:

1. Handling of abuse allegations

   • Critics, including Dan Reed, director of the documentary Leaving Neverland, have accused the biopic of presenting a whitewashed version of Michael’s life.

2. Paris Jackson’s criticism

   • Michael’s daughter Paris Jackson has publicly said she had little involvement with the film and has called it “dishonest”, claiming her early feedback on the script was ignored. 

3. Production delays and reshoots

   • Reports of third-act rewrites and additional photography sparked rumors of chaos behind the scenes, especially around how legal settlements and certain real-life figures could be portrayed. The studio, however, has insisted the project remains on track.

For viewers, these controversies raise important questions:
Will the film truly be “unbiased”, or will it lean heavily toward the estate’s preferred narrative? The answer will only become clear once the movie is released.

8. What Makes This Michael Jackson Biopic Different?

While there have been documentaries and TV movies about Michael Jackson before, this 2026 film stands out because:

• It’s a big-budget theatrical release backed by major studios. 

• It features a family member (Jaafar) in the lead role, which is rare for music biopics.

• It includes extensive use of Michael’s original recordings and performances, thanks to estate involvement.

For fans, that means Michael is likely to be the most visually and musically ambitious screen portrayal of the King of Pop to date — even if not everyone agrees with how the story is told.

9. FAQs: Michael Jackson Biopic “Michael” (2026)

Q1: What is the Michael Jackson biopic called?
It’s titled Michael, a biographical musical drama about Michael Jackson’s life and career. 

Q2: When is the Michael Jackson biopic coming out?
The film is scheduled for release on April 24, 2026, with IMAX screenings confirmed. 

Q3: Who plays Michael Jackson in the movie?
Michael is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, making his major acting debut. 

Q4: Who is directing the biopic?
The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer), with a script by John Logan. 

Q5: Will the film address the abuse allegations?
According to the producers, the movie aims to be “honest” and “unbiased,” and reports indicate it will include material related to the allegations, though some critics and family members have questioned how balanced that portrayal will be. 

10. Final Thoughts – Should Fans Be Excited?

The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about music films of the decade. With a 2026 release date, a director known for intense character dramas, and Michael’s own nephew in the lead role, Michaelhas all the ingredients of a major cultural event.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan, a casual listener or simply curious about the story behind the King of Pop, this film will almost certainly be at the center of conversations when it hits theaters in April 2026.

Tip for your store (CTA):
If your brand sells music-inspired fashion, collectibles or décor, this is the perfect time to prepare Michael Jackson–themed collections, blog posts and gift guides that tie into the 2026 biopic buzz.