Michael: A First Look at the King of Pop’s Legacy Reborn

The trailer for the biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has just been unveiled. Expected in April 2026, the film retraces the meteoric rise of Michael Jackson, portrayed by his nephew Jafar Jackson, in a production that blends family legacy with artistic tribute.

Michael: the trailer for the biopic about the King of Pop
A living legacy
The curtain finally rises on Michael, the biopic dedicated to the global pop legend. On Thursday, November 6, the first trailer for the film directed by Antoine Fuqua was revealed, offering a striking glimpse into the world of the singer who passed away in 2009. The resemblance between Jafar Jackson, who plays his uncle, and Michael Jackson himself is remarkable. In the first images, we see a young man in the studio with producer Quincy Jones, played by Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, as well as on stage before a frenzied crowd, recreating the precise gestures, voice, and movements that shaped music history.

This attention to detail is no coincidence: Jafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine—member of the legendary Jackson 5—grew up closely connected to this legacy. At 29, he embodies not just a role, but a memory. His presence on screen gives Michael an almost intimate dimension, where tribute goes beyond simple imitation. The film promises to revisit the beginnings of a prodigious artist, from his early days with his brothers to the rise of his solo career, without dwelling on the controversies that marked his life.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for Training Day and The Equalizer, Michael is shaping up to be both a musical and human epic. The filmmaker, recognized for his command of rhythm and drama, seems intent on capturing the essence of an artist in constant motion. The script, after several rewrites, focuses on the making of a myth—the child who became king, the man whose music transcended borders and generations.

The film, produced by Graham King, known for Bohemian Rhapsody, features an impressive cast. Colman Domingo plays Joseph Jackson, the demanding father and manager of the siblings. Nia Long portrays Katherine, the mother and a supportive figure behind the scenes. Juliano Krue Valdi plays the young Michael, while Kat Graham takes on the role of Diana Ross, the iconic Motown star. Miles Teller completes the cast as John Branca, the singer’s lawyer and advisor. Each performer helps recreate the artistic and family circle that shaped the King of Pop’s journey.

The trailer
The trailer footage reveals meticulous attention to detail in the reconstruction: costumes, hairstyles, concert lighting—everything seems designed to recreate the atmosphere of the 1980s. Sequences from Billie Jean and Thriller, recreated with precision, immerse the viewer in the energy of the era. Through Fuqua’s lens, Michael Jackson reappears not as a figure frozen in nostalgia, but as a living, universal artist still in motion.

The biopic in theaters on April 24, 2026
More than just a biographical film, Michael is shaping up to be a journey into the imagination of a man who redefined the global stage. Beyond the portrait of the singer, the film explores what it means to be an artist both adored and misunderstood, in a world that turned him into an icon before he even reached adulthood.

The biopic Michael will be released in theaters on April 24, 2026. Blending emotion and virtuosity, it promises a sincere tribute to the man whose steps, voice, and music continue to resonate around the world.

👉 To extend the experience and celebrate this extraordinary legacy, come and visit the Jackson Family Foundation group in Saint-Tropez, located at 10 rue Joseph Quaranta — click here to discover more.