The first trailer for the Michael Jackson biopic is here. Find out everything about the cast, direction, producers and the theatrical release of the film about the life of the “King of Pop”.
The trailer for the long-awaited film about the life of Michael Jackson has been released. There has been speculation about the project for years, but now the biopic is taking concrete shape – with a top-class team behind and in front of the camera.
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Cinema release and cast
The film was originally scheduled to start in April 2024, but was postponed several times. The final date has now been set: the biopic will hit German cinemas on April 23, 2026. A special decision concerns the casting of the main role – because Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, takes on the role of the musician. He is the son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine Jackson. This means that the embodiment of the “King of Pop” literally stays in the family.
A star ensemble behind the scenes
There is an experienced team behind the production: The estate administrators John Branca and John McClain, who look after Jackson’s musical estate, act as producers. They are supported by Graham King, who already had a huge box office success with the Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody”. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for “Training Day,” and the screenplay was written by three-time Oscar-nominated author John Logan (“Aviator,” “Gladiator”).
The life of the “King of Pop”
Michael Jackson was born in 1958 as the eighth child of a musical family. At the age of seven, he performed with his brothers as part of the Jackson 5 and thrilled a worldwide audience at an early age. He later openly criticized his father Joe Jackson’s strict upbringing and drilling. His solo career took him to the top of the pop world: with over 500 million records sold, Jackson is considered one of the most successful musicians of all time. Songs like “Thriller,” “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” as well as his music videos and his “Moonwalk,” made him one of the most influential personalities in music history.
Here’s the trailer:
Background to the postponement of the cinema release
As The Hollywood Reporter reported in spring 2025, one of the reasons for the long delay was the enormous amount of footage. During editing, it turned out that the material would have been enough for almost four hours of running time. Producer Graham King temporarily considered splitting the film into two parts – but ultimately decided on a more compact version. Another reason for the delay was the sensitive question of how the abuse allegations against Jackson should be portrayed in the film. According to information from Belloni, the estate administrators Branca and McClain were initially negative about the issue. In the meantime, the film was supposed to portray Jackson as a victim of false accusations, but a non-disclosure agreement in Jackson’s estate is said to have prevented this portrayal. According to reports from Belloni, the relevant material was eventually deleted. The biopic therefore focuses on Jackson’s rise and culminates in his global success in the 1980s.
More cinematic conflicts
The new biopic is not the first cinematic approach to Michael Jackson. “Michael Jackson: Up Close” (2003) and “Man In The Mirror – The Michael Jackson Story” (2004) illuminated his life and career. Later, the documentaries “Leaving Neverland” (2019) and “The People vs. Michael Jackson” (2025) dealt with the allegations of abuse and the complex public perception of him. The biopic has already caused criticism in the “Leaving Neverland” camp; Director Dan Reed denounced the production of the biopic, saying it would “glamorize a man who raped children.”