A new Michael Jackson biopic has landed, and it’s already raising eyebrows. The trailer for Michael, released this week, offers a glimpse of the King of Pop’s early life - and nothing of the drama that would later engulf his career.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, in his feature film debut, and traces Michael’s journey from child prodigy in the Jackson 5 to a solo artist hungry to become the biggest entertainer in the world.
Fans get to see the young performer’s first hits, his rise to superstardom, and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.
Director Antoine Fuqua and producers have clearly chosen to spotlight Michael’s formative years, steering clear of the controversies and allegations that dominated the headlines in his later life.
Social media reactions to the trailer have been mixed. Many fans are delighted to see the young Jackson portrayed on screen, praising Jaafar’s performance and the cinematic recreation of his early life. Others, however, expressed curiosity about whether the film would ever confront the more contentious chapters of his story.
One X user summed up the sentiment, wrote, “Great trailer, but what about the stuff everyone talks about? Are they skipping it entirely?”
Jaafar, the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve, has been praised for capturing his uncle’s youthful energy on screen. The teaser shows him performing signature dance moves and moments that will be instantly recognisable to fans of Michael’s early music.
“People have been waiting a long time for this,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group. “Even in this brief teaser, people are stunned by Jaafar’s performance.”
The cast also includes Nia Long (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Laura Harrier (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick), and Colman Domingo, with Juliano Krue Valdi (The Loud House) rounding out the ensemble.
Despite the focus on Michael’s youth, Lionsgate has hinted that there could be more to come. During a recent financial call, Fogelson told analysts: “While we’re not yet ready to confirm plans for a second film, the creative team is hard at work making sure we’re in a position to deliver more Michael soon after the first film.”
Fans have speculated that this could mean a sequel tackling the adult superstar years - potentially including the controversies that the first film avoids.
“While we’re not yet ready to confirm plans for a second film, I can tell you that the creative team is hard at work making sure that we’re in a position to deliver more Michael soon after we release the first film,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate studio’s Motion Picture Group, said on Thursday (November 6) .
The teaser’s release marks the beginning of Lionsgate’s marketing push ahead of the UK and Ireland release on April 24, 2026.
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The studio has positioned Michael as both a celebration of the artist’s prodigious talent and an introduction for a new generation to understand how a young boy from Gary, Indiana, became a global icon.
For now, the film chooses nostalgia over controversy, leaving the question of Jackson’s later years to the imagination - or a potential follow-up.
As Lionsgate moves closer to release, fans will be watching closely to see if the King of Pop’s complex story will ever get the full cinematic treatment.
