Following a series of delays, Lionsgate has confirmed that Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic will have a global theatrical release on April 24, 2026.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, Michael’s nephew, 27-year old Jaafar Jackson will portray the late singer in the movie as his first major acting role.
The film’s initial release was planned for October 3 of this year but Variety previously reported the project may be split into two parts, contributing to the postponement.
Principal photography filming for Michael ended in May of 2024, but the John Logan-penned script subsequently underwent revisions ahead of planned reshoots.
In addition to Jaafar, the cast features Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller plays John Branca, the artist’s longtime attorney and advisor, Larenz Tate will appear as Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, Kat Graham portrays Diana Ross, along with Laura Harrier who plays Suzanne de Passe, the pioneering female music executive who first discovered The Jackson.
The ensemble cast also includes Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones (with whom Michael collaborated on the albums Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987).
Deadline reports that a second movie about Jackson remains in development.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: David Valdez – Public Domain