- First trailer featuring iconic performances and songs like “Thriller” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”.
- Release date set for April 24, 2026: Lionsgate in the US and Universal in Spain and Europe.
- Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle; cast includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller and more.
- Directed by Antoine Fuqua; screenplay by John Logan and produced by Graham King; confirmed as a single feature film.
El official biopic of Michael Jackson accelerates its promotion with a first preview that focuses on its artistic and stage aspectsIn just over a minute, studio footage and concert scenes are linked together while Fragments of classics by the "King of Pop" are playing, a business card that seeks to attract both nostalgic and new audiences.
The movie, simply titled MichaelThe project aims to trace an intimate narrative of the artist, from his beginnings alongside his brothers to his solo success. The project, led by Antoine Fuqua, arrives with him Backed by top-tier producers and starring a member of the family: Jaafar Jackson, nephew of the singer.
Release date and distribution
Following a changing schedule, The studio has set the release date for April 24, 2026.In the United States, distribution is handled by Lionsgate, while in Spain and the rest of Europe it will be handled by [unspecified company]. Universal Pictures, which will be coordinated for a simultaneous rollout in the continent's main markets.
For months there was talk of an earlier release in the fall and the possibility of splitting the story into two films, but now The officials have put an end to the rumors.: It will be a single feature filmThe decision comes after re-recordings and an extensive initial edit that was eventually adjusted for its commercial release.
Main cast and characters
The weight of the film rests on Jaafar Jackson, whose His physical and gestural resemblance to his uncle has attracted attentionAs you can see in the image above. In the childhood passages, Juliano Krue Valdi He steps into the shoes of young Michael, connecting the key stages of the family and musical story.
The cast is completed with colman domingo like Joe Jackson and Nia long such as Katherine Jackson. The artist's professional side is represented, among others, by Miles Teller in the role of lawyer and advisor John Branca and by Derek Luke like Johnnie Cochran, in a section that underpins the legal and business dimension of the singer's career.
The biopic also incorporates Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones, an essential piece in Jackson's metamorphosis towards stardom with Off the Wall, Thriller y pool. Also included are Jessica Sula (LaToya Jackson), Larenz Tate (Berry Gordy), Laura harrier (Suzanne de Passe) and Kat Graham (Diana Ross), names that help to place the protagonist in his artistic and business environment.
They complete the cast Liv Symone like Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick like Dick Clark and KeiLyn Durrel Jones such as Bill Bray, a member of Jackson's security team and a trusted confidant for years. The cast of actors points to an ensemble portrait that underscores the professional and family network of the musician.
What the first trailer reveals
The scenes aim to convey the energy of the live performance and the artist's creative process, with particular attention to the dance moves that defined his style. The footage includes They appreciate the famous moonwalk and several costume transitions reminiscent of tours and television performances., elements that have marked his stage legacy.
Direction, script and creative team

The production is signed by Antoine FuquaA filmmaker with experience in the pulse of drama and action, tasked with balancing musical spectacle and biography. The screenplay is by John Logan, a three-time Oscar nominee and known for titles such as Gladiator y The Aviator, a profile that suggests a classic, high-production narrative approach.
The production features Graham kingResponsible for Bohemian Rhapsody, together with John Branca y John McClainThe project adds to justin simien as a co-producer already David B. Householter as executive producer, reinforcing an industrial apparatus that aspires to a wide-ranging global launch.
Duration, assembly and scope
El Principal photography concluded in 2024 and, after a period of re-recordings and adjustmentsThe studio has confirmed that the film will be released in a single installment. Sources close to the project indicate a cut designed for commercial theaters, aiming to maximize the musical experience without sacrificing dramatic pacing.
Although No definitive official figures have been releasedA budget in the region of 155 millionThe investment in musical numbers, costumes, production design, and music rights explains the scale of the international distribution plan.
Context, approach and expectations

The life of Michael Jackson has been the subject of numerous documentaries and specialsBut this time it's a fictional biopic With a broad appeal. The official synopsis emphasizes the singer's personal and artistic journey over sensationalism, aiming to offer a close look at his creative legacy.
The work of Jaafar Jackson It has generated expectations due to his physical and vocal resemblance, something Fuqua himself has emphasized when speaking of a "connection" with the performer's spirit. Between concert recreations and backstage footage, the film aims to balance the spectacle with a human portrait of the artist at different stages of his life.
For the Spanish and European market, the seal of Universal Pictures It facilitates a schedule aligned with the United States, which will predictably result in a multi-territorial campaign focusing on the singer's greatest hits and his most popular moments with the general public.
With a large cast, a proven creative team, and a recognizable musical selection, the Michael Jackson biopic arrives as a blockbuster aimed at revive the iconography from one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, appealing both to the excitement of live performance and to an interest in his creative process and the relationships that shaped his career.
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