“Michael” Trailer Reveals the Rise of the King of Pop in New Biopic
The first trailer for “Michael” is finally out, giving audiences a clear look at the upcoming film about Michael Jackson. The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua and focuses on Jackson’s rise from a young performer to one of the biggest music stars in the world.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, with Juliano Krue Valdi playing a younger version of the singer. The story follows Jackson’s early days with the Jackson 5 and his journey into global fame. The film mixes personal moments with large performance scenes, aiming to show both his life on stage and behind the scenes.
The script was written by John Logan, while producers include Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain. The movie is designed as a big musical drama, with recreations of well-known performances from Jackson’s early solo career.
The legend that brought the world to its feet. The final trailer for #MichaelMovie – in theaters and IMAX April 24. Get tickets now: https://t.co/il8dZTONDq pic.twitter.com/tuOJSHLkbR
— Michael (@michaelmovie) April 8, 2026
There have also been some major changes during production. Reports say the film went through reshoots in 2025. These changes were made after legal concerns linked to past allegations. Because of this, parts of the story were removed, and the ending was adjusted. The film now reportedly finishes during the “Bad” tour, focusing more on Jackson’s success and his relationship with his father, Joe Jackson.
The cast includes several well-known actors. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller appears as John Branca, and Laura Harrier is also part of the film.
“Michael” is rated PG-13 and will be released in theaters and IMAX on April 24, by Lionsgate. The trailer is the first real look at how the filmmakers plan to tell this story, which has already drawn a lot of attention.
This film looks like it is focusing more on the success and image of Michael Jackson rather than the full story of his life. That could work for audiences who want a big music film, but it may also lead to mixed reactions. The choice to change parts of the story will likely be discussed a lot once the movie is released. What do you think about this approach? Are you interested in seeing this version of Michael Jackson’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments.