Jaafar Jackson Steps into Michael Jackson’s Legacy in New Biopic Trailer
Need to Know
- Michael, featuring Jaafar Jackson as the late singer Michael Jackson, is set to be released in theaters on April 24.
- A newly released trailer for the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic highlights the performer’s rise to fame.
- The film boasts an impressive cast, including Juliano Krue Valdi, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Kat Graham, Miles Teller, among others.
A new trailer for the biopic Michael has been unveiled, showcasing the life and times of iconic pop legend Michael Jackson.
Starring Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine, and young Juliano Krue Valdi, the film tells the origin story of the King of Pop. The latest trailer provides glimpses of his journey to stardom, with notable performances by Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Michael’s father and manager, and Nia Long as his mother, Katherine. Kat Graham appears as fellow Motown artist Diana Ross, while Miles Teller portrays John Branca, Michael’s lawyer and manager. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua, who aims to bring an authentic portrayal of Jackson’s life.
In this latest video preview, Jaafar Jackson, 29, can be seen embodying his late uncle’s legendary vocals and dance moves, which the synopsis describes as pivotal in establishing Jackson as a global entertainment icon.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael.
Glen Wilson/Lionsgate
The film aims to provide a unique perspective on both Michael Jackson’s personal life and his remarkable performances during his early solo career. “Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before,” the synopsis states. “This is where his story begins.”
Michael Jackson passed away in 2009 at the age of 50. Throughout his life, he faced several controversies, including a high-profile accusation of sexual abuse in 1993, which led to an out-of-court settlement reported to be around $25 million.
A report from Puck in January 2025 indicated that the settlement with the Chandler family barred any mention of them in media portrayals, necessitating significant changes in the film to comply with this agreement. Consequently, Michael was delayed from its original 2025 release date.
Poster for Michael.
Courtesy of Lionsgate
Photos from the film’s set were first shared in February 2024. Director Antoine Fuqua expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative team involved, emphasizing the dedication to capturing Jackson’s essence. “We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project—hair and makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything—and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film,” Fuqua stated. “But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way.”
Michael will be in theaters April 24.
