The Michael Jackson Biopic Is Estate-Approved

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Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, is getting closer to portraying his iconic uncle on the big screen. The first trailer for the upcoming biopic, Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has just been released. The film, which faced delays due to legal issues and required additional filming, is set to premiere on April 26, 2026. The trailer features snippets of “Thriller” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and begins with a scene featuring Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones working with young Michael. Jones’s lines serve as a message to eager fans who have been anticipating the film since it was first announced in 2019: “I know you’ve been waiting a long time for this,” he says. “The tracks are made, the songs are ready. Let’s take it from the top.”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=723RZxnDWKE

The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, initially planned for a spring 2025 release, faced significant setbacks and required extensive reshoots. This was due to legal issues surrounding the 1993 allegations made by the Chandler family. A settlement agreement prevents the film from dramatizing their story, and early script versions reportedly portrayed the Chandlers negatively. There was speculation the film might be split into two parts, but Lionsgate, the distributor, hasn’t confirmed this. The film focuses on Jackson’s life beyond his music, showing his rise to fame with the Jackson 5 and his drive to become a global superstar. The trailer promises a look at both his personal life and iconic early performances, offering a new perspective on his story.

It’s still unknown how much the new film will address the accusations of abuse against Michael Jackson, which were also explored in the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. The Jackson family strongly criticized that documentary, calling it a biased attack. While Colman Domingo, who plays Michael’s father in the film, said in September that Michael’s children, Paris and Prince, supported the project, Paris Jackson later disputed that claim. In a series of Instagram posts, she explained that she reviewed an early version of the script and shared her concerns about inaccuracies, but her feedback wasn’t incorporated. She clarified she had no further involvement. Paris also stated she hadn’t spoken publicly about the film because she believed a significant portion of it caters to fans who maintain a favorable, unrealistic view of her father and will likely enjoy it.

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2025-11-06 22:54