‘Michael’ Trailer Drops: Inside the Controversial Biopic on the King of Pop

The First Trailer for Michael Finally Drops But Can It Truly Capture the King of Pop?

After months of speculation, production delays, and heated public debate, the first trailer for Michael the long-awaited biopic on Michael Jackson has finally arrived. The two-minute clip gives fans a dazzling glimpse into the life of the performer behind Thriller and Billie Jean, but it also reignites an old question: can a movie humanise Michael Jackson without sanitising him?

A Troubled Journey to the Big Screen

Production on Michael officially wrapped in May 2024, but its road to release has been far from smooth. Initially slated for April 2025, the film was pushed to October 2025 after reshoots ordered in June, and then delayed once again to April 2026.

At one point, industry insiders speculated that the movie might be split into two parts, though the newly released trailer confirms it will be a single feature. Directed by Antoine Fuqua best known for Training Day, The Equalizer, and Olympus Has Fallen Michael promises a cinematic retelling of the King of Pop’s extraordinary yet deeply complicated life.

The screenplay comes from John Logan, the Oscar-nominated writer behind Gladiator, The Aviator, and Hugo, whose work often explores fame, artistry, and obsession.

A Family Affair

Perhaps the most striking choice in Michael is its casting. Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, steps into his uncle’s shoes and sequined glove to portray the global icon.

The film also stars Colman Domingo as patriarch Joe Jackson and Nia Long as matriarch Katherine Jackson. Supporting roles include Miles Teller as attorney John Branca, Laura Harrier as music executive Suzanne de Passe, Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, and Kendrick Sampson as legendary producer Quincy Jones.

The trailer teases a vivid mix of musical brilliance and behind-the-scenes tension, soundtracked by hits like Thriller and Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’. One standout moment shows Jackson in the studio with Quincy Jones a nod to the creative magic behind his most celebrated work.

“Humanise but Not Sanitise”

Producer Graham King, known for the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, has stressed that Michael aims for honesty over glorification.

“Michael’s life was complicated,” King said. “As a filmmaker, I look to humanise but not sanitise to present the most compelling, unbiased story possible and let the audience decide how they feel after watching it.”

But not everyone shares his optimism. Dan Reed, director of the controversial 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, which resurfaced allegations of child sexual abuse against Jackson, has publicly criticised the project. Reed called early drafts of the script “startlingly disingenuous,” accusing the film of downplaying or discrediting the accusers’ accounts.

Family Ties and Public Tension

Earlier this year, Colman Domingo praised the Jackson family’s involvement, telling reporters at the Venice Film Festival that “they’re very much in support of our film.”

However, that statement quickly drew a response from Paris Jackson, Michael’s daughter. Taking to Instagram, she clarified:

“Don’t be telling people I was ‘helpful’ on the set of a movie I had zero percent involvement in. I read one of the first drafts, gave my notes about what was dishonest, and when they didn’t address it, I moved on. Not my monkeys, not my circus.”

Paris added that while she expects many fans to enjoy the film, “it panders to a specific section of my dad’s fandom that still lives in the fantasy.”

The Biopic Boom and Its Box Office Risks

With a reported $155 million budget, Michael stands as one of the most ambitious music biopics ever produced. But it enters a marketplace where the genre’s magic may be fading. This year’s Bruce Springsteen biopic underperformed, grossing just $31 million worldwide a cautionary tale for studios banking on nostalgia.

Despite the risks, distributor Lionsgate remains confident. The studio’s official synopsis promises “a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before,” chronicling his journey from Jackson 5 prodigy to global megastar. Whether the film will also confront the darker chapters of his story, however, remains to be seen.

Release Date and What’s Next

Michael is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 24, 2026. The trailer will begin screening in cinemas next week ahead of the Now You See Me 3 premiere.

With its blend of star power, controversy, and one of music’s most complex legacies, Michael is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of the decade. Whether it redeems, reframes, or reignites debate about the King of Pop, one thing is certain audiences around the world will be watching.