The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, a collaborative venture between Lionsgate and Universal, aims to captivate audiences worldwide next year. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film titled "Michael" is now poised to grace theaters and IMAX screens on April 24, 2026, after enduring several delays, with its most recent scheduled release being set for fall 2025. Making his feature film debut, Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late pop legend, stars in the lead role, embodying the iconic musician. While Lionsgate will oversee the domestic distribution, Universal will handle the film's global rollout.
According to previous reports by The Hollywood Reporter, "Michael" underwent an additional 22 days of shooting in June. Initially intended to encompass the entirety of Jackson's life and feature an extended runtime, sources revealed that the film's narrative now concludes with Jackson's departure from his family band, The Jacksons, following the release of his groundbreaking solo album, "Off the Wall," in 1979.
In January, Puck magazine disclosed that the film's initially planned third act underwent significant revisions due to the inclusion of a dramatization involving an individual who had accused Jackson of child sexual abuse. The accuser had reached a settlement with Jackson's estate, stipulating that no dramatization of his accusations would occur.
Sources close to THR revealed that a sequel, focusing on the remainder of Jackson's storied career, remains in development. Post-1979, Jackson achieved numerous milestones in the music industry, with his 1982 album "Thriller," featuring hits like "Beat It" and "Billie Jean," remaining the best-selling album of all time. Tragically, Jackson passed away in June 2009 at the age of 50.
The star-studded cast of "Michael" includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, the pop star's father, and Nia Long as his mother, Katherine. Rounding out the ensemble are Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Derek Luke. Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain serve as producers, with the screenplay penned by John Logan.
Last year, footage from "Michael" premiered at CinemaCon, with producer King revealing that the film would feature an impressive 30 songs. During this year's CinemaCon in April, Lionsgate film chair Adam Fogelson teased the audience with the promise of upcoming news about the project, although he refrained from sharing specific details. Previously slated for an April 2025 release, "Michael" underwent another shift, with its release date moved to October of this year.
"Ever since we premiered early footage of 'Michael' at CinemaCon last year, it has been abundantly clear how much global interest and enthusiasm the film has generated," Fogelson stated in April. "A lot has transpired since then, and while we aren't quite ready to share more just yet, we do have some very significant and exciting developments on the horizon. So please be patient and stay tuned."
