You’ve seen the grainy paparazzi shots of a guy in a red varsity jacket, looking eerily like a ghost from 1983. It’s not a deepfake. It is Jaafar Jackson, and he is carrying the weight of a $155 million legacy on his shoulders. The new movie about singer Michael Jackson, simply titled Michael, is finally nearing its release on April 24, 2026. Honestly, the buzz is a mess of pure hype and intense skepticism.
People are worried. How do you cover a life that was both the peak of human achievement and the center of devastating controversy? You don't just "unpack" Michael Jackson. You survive him.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua—the guy who gave us Training Day—this isn't some low-budget TV movie. This is a massive, IMAX-bound epic. It spans from the sweat-soaked stages of the Jackson 5 era to the final, frantic rehearsals for This Is It in 2009. But here is the thing: the closer we get to the premiere, the more the "official" narrative feels like it’s being pulled in two different directions.
Why the Michael Jackson Biopic is Taking So Long
Making a movie about the most famous person to ever live is a logistical nightmare. Originally, we were supposed to see this in 2025. Then the SAG-AFTRA strikes hit, pushing everything back. But the real reason for the delay? The runtime was reportedly ballooning toward four hours.
There were whispers that Lionsgate might split the film into two parts. Can you imagine? Michael: Part 1 and Part 2. Ultimately, they decided to keep it as one three-and-a-half-hour powerhouse. That is longer than Oppenheimer. It’s a lot of time to spend in Neverland.
The production actually went back for 22 days of additional photography in June 2025. Reshoots usually signal trouble, but sources close to the production claim it was about "tonal adjustments." Basically, they needed to get the ending right. When you're dealing with a figure this polarizing, every frame is a legal and emotional landmine.
The Jaafar Factor: Genius or Nepotism?
Casting Michael’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, was a bold move. It’s his film debut. No pressure, right?
Director Antoine Fuqua told Variety that the resemblance is "uncanny." It’s not just the face. It’s the way he moves. Jaafar has been training for years, and the footage that has leaked shows a man who has mastered the staccato rhythm of Michael’s dance style.
- Jaafar Jackson plays the adult Michael.
- Juliano Krue Valdi plays the "I Want You Back" era Michael.
- Colman Domingo (who is having a massive year) steps in as the terrifying patriarch, Joe Jackson.
- Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson, the emotional glue of the family.
Seeing Colman Domingo play Joe Jackson is going to be uncomfortable. Joe was a man who famously used a belt to "encourage" his children. The movie doesn't seem to be shying away from that. If it did, it would lose all credibility.
Dealing With the Elephant in the Room
Let’s talk about the controversy. You can’t make a new movie about singer Michael Jackson and ignore the allegations. It just isn't possible in 2026.
The film is produced by Graham King—the man behind Bohemian Rhapsody—and John Branca, the co-executor of the Jackson Estate. This has led to a lot of "estate-sanctioned" criticism. People are asking: will this be a hagiography? A puff piece?
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Reports surfaced in early 2025 that the film’s "third act" had to be carefully re-navigated. Specifically, the 1993 allegations involving Jordan Chandler. There were rumors that the film couldn't legally depict certain figures, leading to frantic rewrites. Lionsgate denied the "total chaos" headlines, but they did admit to "additional photography."
The reality is likely somewhere in the middle. The movie will probably address the trials and the media circus, but through the lens of Michael’s own perspective. Whether audiences accept that perspective is the $150 million question.
The Music Will Be the Main Event
If the drama feels heavy, the music is meant to be the relief. This film has access to the entire catalog. We’re talking Thriller, Bad, Smooth Criminal—the works.
The cinematography is handled by Dion Beebe. He’s the guy who shot Chicago and Memoirs of a Geisha. Expect the concert scenes to look like high art, not just a recorded stage show. They’ve rebuilt the "Victory Tour" sets. They’ve recreated the "Man in the Mirror" performance at the Grammys.
For many fans, the music is the only thing that matters. They want to see the magic of the moonwalk on a 50-foot screen.
Beyond Michael: The Biopic Wave of 2026
While Michael is the heavy hitter, it’s not the only new movie about singer icons hitting the circuit. The "music biopic" has become the new superhero movie.
- Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere: Jeremy Allen White is playing Bruce Springsteen during the making of the Nebraska album. It’s gritty, stripped-back, and already getting Oscar buzz for a late 2025/early 2026 release.
- The Bee Gees: Ridley Scott is reportedly directing a film about the brothers Gibb. It starts filming in late 2025.
- Linda Ronstadt: Selena Gomez is officially attached to play the legendary singer. They’ve already spent time together at Ronstadt’s home to get the "vibe" right.
- The Beatles: Sam Mendes is planning four interconnected films, one for each member. That is an insane undertaking scheduled for later this decade.
The industry is leaning hard into nostalgia because, frankly, it sells. But Michael Jackson is different. He isn't just a singer; he’s a cultural Rorschach test.
What You Should Actually Expect
Don't go into Michael expecting a documentary. It’s a drama. It’s going to be stylized. It’s going to be emotional.
The film's writer, John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator), isn't known for pulling punches. He likes complicated men. And Michael was nothing if not complicated. The movie will likely lean into the "trapped child" narrative—a man who grew up in a bubble and never really found his way out.
Whether it’s a masterpiece or a disaster, it’s going to be the biggest movie event of 2026. You’ll see the loafers. You’ll hear the "Hee-hee." You’ll probably argue with your friends about it for weeks.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're planning to follow the rollout of the new movie about singer Michael Jackson, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Teaser: Lionsgate released the first official teaser in November 2025. Watch it closely—it reveals exactly which "eras" get the most screen time.
- Revisit "The Sound of My Voice": If you're interested in the Linda Ronstadt project, watch the 2019 documentary. It’s the primary source material for the Selena Gomez film.
- Follow the IMAX schedule: Michael is being optimized for large formats. If you want the full experience of the dance sequences, you'll need to book those tickets early when they go live in early 2026.
- Read "Simple Dreams": For those tracking the Ronstadt biopic, Linda's memoir is the roadmap. Selena Gomez has been seen carrying it everywhere for a reason.
The era of the musical biopic is far from over. If anything, with Michael, it’s just reaching its final, most controversial act.