Michael Trailer & Fun Facts

Michael Synopsis:

Michael is an expansive biographical drama that chronicles the meteoric rise and complex legacy of the King of Pop. The film traces his journey from the childhood pressures of the Jackson 5 to the global superstardom of the Thriller era, aiming to provide an intimate look at the man behind the persona. By weaving together high-octane recreations of his most iconic performances with the private struggles of his personal life, the movie explores both Michael’s unparalleled creative genius and the heavy toll of a life spent under the relentless scrutiny of the public eye.

Genre: Drama, Biography

Release Date: In theaters April 24th, 2026

Michael Fun Facts:

It’s a Family Affair:
Choosing Jaafar Jackson for the lead role was more than just a casting win; he is actually Michael Jackson’s nephew, the son of Jermaine Jackson. When director Antoine Fuqua saw him during the first rehearsal, he was blown away by how Jaafar "became" his uncle rather than just acting like him. In fact, the entire crew was left speechless by how naturally Jaafar mirrored Michael’s iconic voice and dance moves.

Massive Runtime:
While early buzz hinted at a four-hour runtime covering Michael’s entire life from the early years of the Jackson 5 to his final years, the movie currently clocks in at around 3.5 hours. Because the story is so massive, there’s been talk behind the scenes about splitting it into two parts to avoid rushing the details; however, the filmmakers are currently focused on delivering one giant, "blockbuster" experience this April. Even at its current length, it’s still much longer than your typical music biopic.

Returning to Neverland:
To make the movie feel as real as possible, the production team actually returned to Neverland Ranch. The crew spent a great amount of time meticulously restoring the famous park to its original prime for filming. They are even going so far as to bring back the amusement park rides and the "fairytale" vibe Michael originally designed.

The "Bohemian Rhapsody" Connection:
Graham King, the powerhouse behind the smash hit Bohemian Rhapsody, is the producer of this new film. To bring the project to life, King spent years negotiating with the Michael Jackson Estate to secure the rights, ensuring every iconic hit could be featured in the movie.

Records Already Broken:
When the teaser for the film dropped in late 2025, it exploded online, pulling in more than 116 million views in just one day. This massive debut set a new 24-hour record for any Lionsgate movie, even outperforming the record-breaking trailer for Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour.

Iconic Performance:
To bring Michael’s iconic dance moves to the big screen, the movie brought in choreographers Rich and Tone Talauega. The duo are longtime collaborators of Michael Jackson himself; they are dedicated to ensuring every move in the movie stays true to the King of Pop’s legendary performance.

Source: youtube, wikipedia