First Look Teaser for ‘Michael’ with Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson

by Alex Billington
November 6, 2025
Source: YouTube

“This is your story. Honor your past… and embrace the future. That’s what people want.” Lionsgate has unveiled the first look teaser trailer for the highly anticipated movie titled simply Michael, an epic musical biopic about mega famous musician / singer Michael Jackson. It’s a look back at his early days, following his younger years and upbringing leading into stardom, from the same producer as Bohemian Rhapsody. It seems similar to that recent Elvis movie in many ways. The story of the famous musician Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop. Michael will be played by his real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson. This is Jaafar’s film debut. The cast includes Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, Derek Luke, Jessica Sula, with Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo as his father Joe Jackson. This was originally supposed to open in theaters this fall, but Lionsgate delayed it to work on it more and figure out legal issues. Now it’s set to open in April 2026 next spring – just before the summer movie season.

Here’s the first teaser trailer for Antoine Fuqua’s movie Michael, direct from Lionsgate’s YouTube:

Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s (starring his cousin Jaafar Jackson) life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins. Michael is directed by award-winning American filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, director of the first two The Equalizer movies, as well as The Replacement Killers, Training Day, Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, Shooter, Brooklyn’s Finest, Olympus Has Fallen, Southpaw, The Magnificent Seven, Infinite, The Guilty, Emancipation, The Equalizer 3. The screenplay is written by John Logan (Gladiator, The Last Samurai, The Aviator, Rango, Hugo, Skyfall, Spectre, Alien: Covenant, They/Them). Produced by Graham King, John McClain, John Branca. After delaying opening it this year, Lionsgate debuts Fuqua’s Michael movie in theaters nationwide starting April 24th, 2026 next spring. First impression? Who’s in?

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