Universal Pictures has unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael, offering fans an early glimpse into one of the year’s most anticipated, and much delayed, music movies.
The new footage mixes rehearsal clips with interviews with Director Antoine Fuqua and the film’s star Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson.
The featurette opens with Jaafar speaking candidly about taking on the role. He admits that he never actually dreamed of being an actor, but when the opportunity to play Michael arose, he felt it was a “calling.” He emphasizes that he didn’t just get the role because of his name; he had to “earn the role and prove to the filmmakers” that he could capture the authenticity of his uncle.
No stranger to epic musical movies, after his smash hit Bohemian Rhapsody, producer Graham King admits in the footage that, “the challenge of taking on someone like Michael Jackson, it sounded fun. But then the more real it got, the more pressure I felt.”
The video is packed with “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” clips of Jaafar in some of Michael’s most famous eras including a Billie Jean scene where we see Jaafar on a smoke-filled stage in the iconic black suit and fedora and Thriller rehearsal footage of the famous dance and a glimpse of Jaafar in full zombie makeup.
An All-Star Ensemble Cast
The biopic also features a heavy-hitting lineup of Hollywood talent tasked with bringing the Jackson family and the music industry’s elite to life:
Colman Domingo: Plays Joe Jackson, the demanding family patriarch whose strict discipline shaped the Jackson 5.
Nia Long: Stars as Katherine Jackson, the emotional anchor of the family.
Miles Teller: Portrays John Branca, the powerhouse entertainment lawyer and co-executor of the Jackson estate.
Kendrick Sampson: Takes on the role of the legendary producer Quincy Jones, the man behind Thriller and Bad.
Larenz Tate: Appears as Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Kat Graham: Portrays Diana Ross, Michael’s lifelong friend and mentor.
Laura Harrier: Plays Suzanne de Passe, the executive credited with discovering the Jackson 5.
The Story: From Gary, Indiana to Global Dominance
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by three-time Academy Award nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), Michael aims to provide a “front-row seat” to the entertainer’s life.
The narrative covers the full spectrum of his journey, beginning with his childhood as the breakout star of the Jackson 5 in Gary, Indiana. It then traces his relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. It explores the “man behind the glove,” touching on the psychological toll of isolation, the loss of childhood, and the complexities of his private life that were often misunderstood by the public.
Global Launch and Fan Celebrations
The film is set for it’s international premiere in Berlin on April 10, 2026. This will kick off a “Fan Celebration” event, where the stars and creators will engage with the public before the film’s worldwide theatrical release on April 24, the details of which have yet to be shared.