The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, aptly titled Miguelhas released its first teaser, introducing the world to a transformative performance from the King of Pop’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
The film is directed by Antonie Fuqua and is scheduled for release on April 24, 2026.
The one-minute trailer, which was released on November 6, provides a very powerful insight into Jaafar’s strange portrayal of his late uncle.
The film will be an in-depth examination of the complicated life of the global superstar.
It will be an intimate look at the life and legacy of one of the world’s most influential pioneers and the official synopsis says it will explore the global superstar’s journey to becoming known to the world as the King of Pop.
Who’s who in the Michael Jackson biopic
- Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
- Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson (formidable patriarch of the Jackson family)
- Nia Long as Katherine Jackson (Michael’s beloved mother)
- Jermaine Jackson played by Jamal R. Henderson (adult) and Jayden Harville (young).
- Marlon Jackson played by Tre Horton (adult) and Jaylen Lyndon Hunter (young).
- Tito Jackson played by Rhyan Hill (adult) and Judah Edwards (young).
- Jackie Jackson played by Joseph David-Jones (adult) and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (young).
- Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson: Michael’s older sister.
- Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones: The legendary producer who worked closely with Michael on his seminal albums “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad.”
- Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy: The founder of Motown Records, the label that released the Jackson 5.
- Kat Graham as Diana Ross: The superstar who mentored the young Jackson 5 and was Michael’s lifelong friend.
- Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe: the pioneering Motown executive who helped develop the Jackson 5’s early career.
- Liv Symone as Gladys Knight: the “Empress of Soul” who helped bring the Jackson 5 to Berry Gordy’s attention.
- Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark: The famous television host of “American Bandstand.”
- Miles Teller as John Branca: Entertainment lawyer and Michael’s long-time estate executor.
- Derek Luke as Johnnie Cochran: The famous lawyer who represented Michael during the 1993 indictments.
The script, written by John Logan, is reported to be an adaptation of the child sexual abuse charges against Jackson, and producer Graham King is quoted as saying they intend it to be a humanization rather than a sanitization of the story.
The project has had a convoluted journey to the screen, including industry strikes and reports of massive reshoots to polish the film, which is now likely to have considerable screen time.
The original footage, however, generated a lot of buzz and made Michael one of the most anticipated biopics of the decade.
