A new trailer for “Michael” reveals how the King of Pop’s rise, family ties and contradictions shape a biopic backed by his own estate.
Michael Jackson’s life has been told in pieces for decades — through music, headlines, controversies and endless debate.
Now, a new biopic is aiming to pull it all together, and it’s doing so from a deeply personal place.
Lionsgate has released the latest trailer for Michael, a highly anticipated film that traces Jackson’s journey from a gifted child in the Jackson 5 to one of the most famous entertainers the world has ever known.
Instead of focusing only on spectacle, the movie promises a closer look at the man behind the glove.
What’s turning the most heads? The casting. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, steps into the lead role for his first major film performance. Director Antoine Fuqua believes that family connection makes all the difference.
In past interviews, Fuqua has said Jaafar doesn’t just look like Michael — he channels his energy, emotion and spirit in a way that feels authentic rather than performative.
The film is directed by Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer) and written by John Logan (Gladiator), a combination that signals both emotional weight and cinematic scale.
The cast is stacked with familiar faces, including Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as longtime attorney John Branca. Kat Graham appears as Diana Ross, while Larenz Tate plays Motown legend Berry Gordy.
Rather than racing through highlights, Michael slows down to show how fame shaped Jackson’s inner world. According to the official synopsis, the film explores his creative ambition, his offstage life, and the pressure that came with chasing perfection — all while recreating some of his most iconic early performances.
Produced with the support of the Jackson estate, the movie is positioned as a definitive portrait, not an exposé. It’s less about rewriting history and more about understanding how a shy child became a global symbol.
Michael opens in theaters on April 24, inviting audiences to see the King of Pop’s story from a front-row seat — and through the eyes of someone who knew the legacy from the inside.
PHOTO CREDIT: Lionsgate
