A New Chapter in Michael Jackson’s Legacy
The world has witnessed an overwhelming response from fans of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. As the anticipation for his biopic “Michael” continues to build, the film has already made history with its record-breaking trailer.
Lionsgate recently unveiled the trailer for “Michael,” and within just 24 hours, it achieved an unprecedented milestone by garnering over 116.2 million views globally. This achievement not only highlights the immense popularity of the iconic artist but also marks Lionsgate’s most successful trailer debut ever.
The film features Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the legendary performer, who steps into the role of Michael Jackson. The teaser offers a glimpse into the life of the music icon, showcasing Jaafar performing some of Jackson’s most famous dance moves, including the iconic moonwalk. It also provides a sneak peek at the unforgettable “Thriller” music video, which remains one of the most celebrated pieces of pop culture.
According to the official synopsis, the film delves into the story of Michael Jackson beyond his music. It traces his journey from being the lead singer of the Jackson Five to becoming a visionary artist whose creative ambition drove him to become the biggest entertainer in the world. The film aims to give audiences a front-row view of Jackson’s life off-stage and some of his most iconic performances from his early solo career.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, “Michael” is a high-budget production with an estimated cost of £155 million (over R351bn). The cast includes notable actors such as Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, and Miles Teller as John Branca, Jackson’s attorney and advisor. Additionally, Jessica Sula portrays La Toya Jackson, while Kendrick Sampson appears as Quincy Jones, a pivotal figure in Jackson’s early musical career.
Originally scheduled for release on October 3, the film faced delays due to additional reshoots and script rewrites. Principal photography was completed in May 2024, but these changes pushed the release date to April 24, 2026.
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, hinted that while a sequel is not confirmed yet, the creative team is working on future projects featuring Michael Jackson. “While we’re not yet ready to confirm plans for a second film, I can tell you that the creative team is hard at work making sure that we’re in a position to deliver more Michael soon after we release the first film,” said Fogelson in an online report.
Following the trailer’s success, Fogelson expressed his excitement about the response from fans. “People have been waiting a long time for this. And we have seen wild enthusiasm. I think people are stunned with Jaafar’s performance, even in the short amount that is in this relatively brief teaser.”
Fans have also reacted positively to the trailer, praising the music legend’s impact. One fan, @hunleyCFC, wrote: “Michael at his peak during the 80s was just a phenomenon. Pure magic and talent. His dancing makes you ‘see’ the music. It’s hard to describe. It’s beyond cool. It’s just natural. God sent.”
Another fan, @mahazona_, commented: “Without social media or Apple Music or Spotify, he conquered the world with his music is crazy.” Meanwhile, @Jimmy_Moon shared: “Isn’t it strange how those songs are hardwired into our consciousness. It’s like someone wrote some code so we don’t forget and when the beats start, something awakens it.”
Watch the trailer below.