"Michael" Biopic Trailer Smashes Records Amidst Production Twists and Turns

The first glimpse of the highly anticipated Michael Jackson Biopic, Michael, has exploded online, dominating conversations, but the road to its 2026 theatrical release has been anything but smooth.

TL;DR: Quick Takes on the Michael Jackson Biopic

• The Michael teaser trailer racked up over 116 million views worldwide in its first 24 hours, making it Lionsgate's largest-ever trailer launch for a music biopic or concert film.
• Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, makes his feature acting debut as the King of Pop, with Antoine Fuqua directing and Graham King producing.
• The film has faced "massive reshoots" and potential division into two parts due to reported legal challenges related to prior allegations and script content.

First Impressions: The Trailer That Broke Viewing Records Worldwide

Imagine a movie trailer so anticipated it outpaces the likes of John Wick: Chapter 4 and even Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in its initial hours online. That’s exactly what happened with the first teaser for Michael, the upcoming biopic about the King of Pop.

Released in November 2025, the sneak peek for Michael racked up a staggering 30 million views in just its first six hours. This figure was announced during a Lionsgate earnings call and represents an incredible 50% more views than the John Wick: Chapter 4 trailer managed in the same timeframe (Source: IGN, "Debut Trailer for Upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic Gets Huge Views in First 6 Hours," November 6, 2025).

The buzz didn't stop there. Within its first 24 hours, the trailer soared to an astonishing 116.2 million views globally. This makes it not only the largest 24-hour trailer launch in Lionsgate’s history but also the most-viewed trailer for any music biopic or concert movie in motion picture history (Source: Deadline, "‘Michael’ Teaser Traffic Racks Up 116M+ Views In First 24 Hours, Record Trailer Launch For Lionsgate," November 8, 2025). It easily surpassed other major music film trailers like Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (96.1 million) and Bohemian Rhapsody (57.6 million).

The teaser itself delivered exactly what fans expected: glimpses of Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, recreating some of his uncle's most iconic dance moves and outfits, including a nod to the legendary "Thriller" music video. An engineer's voiceover in the trailer aptly states, "The tracks are made. The songs are ready," setting the stage for what promises to be a musical spectacle.

Stepping into the King of Pop's Shoes: Jaafar Jackson's Highly Anticipated Debut

One of the most talked-about aspects of Michael is the casting of Jaafar Jackson, the son of former Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson, as his legendary uncle. This marks Jaafar's feature acting debut, and early reactions from those involved hint at a remarkable performance.

“People have been waiting a long time for this. I think people are stunned with Jaafar’s performance.”

— Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair (Source: IGN)

Director Antoine Fuqua, known for Training Day and The Equalizer films, also praised Jaafar, telling Entertainment Weekly, "It's uncanny how much he's like Michael. Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It's really uncanny." Producer Graham King, who also helmed the Oscar-winning Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, is steering this ship.

The film boasts a star-studded supporting cast to bring Michael Jackson's world to life:

• Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Michael's father.
• Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother.
• Miles Teller as John Branca, Michael's longtime lawyer and manager.
• Kat Graham as Diana Ross, the "Queen of Motown."
• Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy, Motown founder.
• Liv Symone as Gladys Knight.
• Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark.
• Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones.
• Also featuring Laura Harrier and Derek Luke in undisclosed roles.

The synopsis promises a "life-spanning portrait" that traces Michael’s journey from his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson 5 to his visionary artistry as the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and iconic early solo performances.

The Road to Release: Delays, Rewrites, and a Potential Two-Part Epic

While the trailer's reception has been overwhelmingly positive, the path to Michael's April 24, 2026, release has been anything but smooth. The film was initially slated for a fall 2025 release but faced several delays.

A significant "roadblock" emerged during production concerning the sensitive legal history surrounding Michael Jackson. Reports indicate that the script initially included details about the 1993 sexual abuse allegations made by Jordan Chandler. However, a settlement in that case reportedly contained a clause prohibiting the dramatization of the Chandler family (Source: CNN, "Michael Jackson biopic teaser trailer dances into the making of the King of Pop," November 6, 2025).

This oversight reportedly led to "massive reshoots" and the removal of the film's "third act" for legal reasons, requiring extensive reworking of the script by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan. Imagine a screenwriter pouring years into crafting a story, only to discover a crucial legal clause midway through production that forces a complete overhaul of key scenes. That's essentially what happened with Michael, leading to unexpected delays and extensive re-filming (Source: Pajiba, "The Teaser for the Michael Jackson Biopic Has Arrived," November 6, 2025).

This challenge, coupled with an initial runtime reportedly around three and a half hours, has sparked discussions about splitting the film into two parts. Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson noted, "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." This hints strongly at a multi-part epic to fully cover the King of Pop's complex life (Source: Euronews, "The new trailer for the Michael Jackson biopic is racking up views online and has sparked mixed reactions," November 7, 2025).

Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Controversies and Creative Choices

No film about Michael Jackson can exist without confronting his complicated legacy. The Michael biopic arrives amid considerable speculation and concern about how it will handle the more controversial aspects of his life, particularly the child sexual abuse allegations that plagued his later years.

Many critics and audience members fear a "whitewashed" narrative that glosses over these legal troubles. Dan Reed, director of the documentary Leaving Neverland, has explicitly condemned an early script draft as a "complete whitewash" and "out-and-out attempt to completely rewrite the allegations." He stated that the script "contains complete lies" and avoids showing Jackson alone with boys (Source: Entertainment Weekly, "Everything we know about the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael," March 28, 2024).

Adding to these concerns, Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson, voiced her own criticism of an early script. She stated in an Instagram Story that the draft she read was "dishonest" and "filled with inaccuracies." Paris warned fans not to expect an "honest portrayal," suggesting the film might "pander to a very specific section of my dad's fandom that still lives in the fantasy" (Source: Entertainment Weekly).

However, the filmmakers acknowledge the challenges. Producer Graham King described Michael as "an enigma, full of eccentricity, electrifying talent... And yet behind the unrelenting scrutiny and the accusations... he was simply a man." King has publicly stated that the movie "will get into all of it, including over 30 songs, recreating some of the most iconic performances on stage as well as his life out of the public eye" (Source: Entertainment Weekly). Director Antoine Fuqua also emphasized his goal to "tell the facts as we know it, about the artist, about the man, about the human being." The film is being made with the backing of the Jackson estate, which consistently maintains Michael's innocence regarding the allegations.

The delicate balance between celebrating Jackson's unparalleled artistry and addressing his complex personal life is a tightrope walk for the filmmakers. Even the film's official poster faced scrutiny, with some fans and critics calling its "Four Michaels" collage approach "underwhelming" and akin to "fan art," suggesting it didn't match the grandeur of Jackson's legacy (Source: MJVibe, "The “MICHAEL” Movie Poster: A Missed Opportunity for the King of Pop," November 7, 2025). This indicates that every creative decision will be under intense scrutiny from a highly invested global audience.

Your Burning Questions About the Michael Jackson Biopic Answered

When does the Michael Jackson biopic come out? Michael is slated to hit theaters globally on April 24, 2026. Who plays Michael Jackson in the new movie? Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, makes his feature film debut in the lead role. Will the Michael Jackson movie cover his legal troubles? Producer Graham King has stated the film "will get into all of it," including "the accusations." However, reported legal restrictions regarding specific allegations have led to script rewrites and reshoots, so the extent and nature of this coverage are still a major point of discussion. Is the Michael Jackson biopic going to be two parts? Lionsgate has hinted at the possibility of delivering "more Michael soon after we release the first film," suggesting it could be a multi-part epic. This is partly due to the film's extensive runtime and production complexities.

Practical Takeaways for Fans

• Get ready for a visual spectacle showcasing Jaafar Jackson's uncanny portrayal of his uncle's iconic performances, a highlight of the record-breaking teaser.
• Expect the film to navigate Michael Jackson's complex life, with producers promising to delve into his "triumphs and tragedies," though how specific controversies are handled remains a key discussion point.
• Mark your calendars for April 24, 2026, for the theatrical release – a date that might just be for "Part One" of a larger story.
• The massive trailer buzz indicates immense public interest, setting the stage for a potentially huge box office performance akin to other successful music biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody.

Sources:

• IGN, "Debut Trailer for Upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic Gets Huge Views in First 6 Hours," Lex Briscuso, November 6, 2025
• Deadline, "‘Michael’ Teaser Traffic Racks Up 116M+ Views In First 24 Hours, Record Trailer Launch For Lionsgate," Anthony D'Alessandro, November 8, 2025
• The Hollywood Reporter, "Michael Jackson Biopic Teaser Trailer Dances into the Making of the King of Pop," Etan Vlessing, November 6, 2025
• CNN, "Michael Jackson biopic teaser trailer dances into the making of the King of Pop," Lisa Respers France, November 6, 2025
• Euronews, "The new trailer for the Michael Jackson biopic is racking up views online and has sparked mixed reactions," David Mouriquand, November 7, 2025
• Pajiba, "The Teaser for the Michael Jackson Biopic Has Arrived," Dustin Rowles, November 6, 2025
• Entertainment Weekly, "Everything we know about the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael," March 28, 2024
• MJVibe, "The “MICHAEL” Movie Poster: A Missed Opportunity for the King of Pop," Admin Team, November 7, 2025