Lionsgate unveils ‘Michael’ trailer charting Michael Jackson’s life and legacy

The King of Pop is headed back to theaters

Lionsgate has unveiled a new trailer for Michael, its upcoming biopic that charts Michael Jackson’s journey from his early days performing with the Jackson 5 to his rise as one of the most influential entertainers in music history.

The film aims to capture both the spectacle of Jackson’s superstardom and the contradictions that shaped his public and private life.

The title role is played by Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, marking his first major film performance. The project is directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer) and written by John Logan (Gladiator, Rango).

Fuqua has spoken openly about his confidence in Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal, emphasizing that the performance goes beyond surface-level resemblance. “It’s Jaafar who embodies Michael,” Fuqua said in a previous interview. “It’s not just the look — it’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way.”

The biopic features a large ensemble cast, including Colman Domingo as family patriarch Joe Jackson and Nia Long as matriarch Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller appears as longtime entertainment lawyer John Branca, while Laura Harrier portrays music executive Suzanne de Passe.

The cast also includes Kat Graham as Diana Ross and Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy. Michael’s siblings are portrayed by Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine), Tre’ Horton (Marlon), Rhyan Hill (Tito), Joseph David-Jones (Jackie) and Jessica Sula (La Toya). Juliano Valdi plays a young Michael during the Jackson 5 era.

According to the official synopsis, Michael offers a cinematic look at the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists of all time, tracing his evolution from a child prodigy to a visionary solo performer driven by relentless creative ambition. The film highlights both Jackson’s life offstage and several of his most iconic early performances, giving audiences an intimate view of the artist behind the legend.

Produced with the support of the Jackson estate, Michael is a Lionsgate and GK Films production. The film is scheduled to open in theaters on April 24.