First Look at Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Offers Thrilling Glimpses of Singer’s Climb to Fame: Watch

The official trailer for the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael has landed and it promises a thrilling look at the rise of the self-proclaimed King of Pop. The first look at the film starring Jaafar Jackson, the late singer’s real-life nephew, opens with an image of MJ from behind as he puts a pair of headphones over his voluminous afro as an unseen voice belonging to producer Quincy Jones says, “I know you’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

As a familiar beat bubbles up, Jones adds, “The tracks are made. The songs are ready… let’s take it from the top.” We then see a hand posting an index card with the African phrase “mama say mamasa mamakusa” that became a classic refrain on the Thriller Billboard Hot 100 No. 5 single “Wanna Be Startin’ Something.”

We then get our first, brief glimpse of Jaafar as MJ, before the scene switches to massive, sold-out stadium crowd, Jackson in his signature spangled Thriller jacket and sequined white glove, the Jackson family having a laugh around the dinner table and a quick-cut of Jackson promoting what would become the best-selling album all time as he figures out the running order on a corkboard.

With “Billy Jean” bubbling up, there are glimpses of the iconic “Thriller” video, Jackson pulling off his spellbinding dance moves and the legendarily shy singer asking producer Jones to “lower the lights” in the studio for him. “Okay, but remember, in here, keep those feet still my man,” Jones responds. It ends with Jackson executing a string of spins and letting out one of his signature “whoo!” vocalizations.

The trailer was good news for fans eagerly awaiting the biopic from Lionsgate and Universal Pictures, originally slated for an Oct. 2025 release, but then delayed to April 24, 2026. The push of the ambitious, $155 million film, directed by Antoine Fuqua (Stans, Bullet Train) came after Deadline reported in July that despite principal photography wrapping in May 2024, extensive reshoots and a lengthy initial cut required extra post-production time. Studio execs had also earlier hinted that the original release date might be missed as they contemplated splitting the movie into two parts.

With a screenplay by John Logan (Skyfall, Alien: Covenant), the movie traces key chapters in Jackson’s life from his childhood to his record-shattering solo career. The cast also includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as attorney John Branca, Larenz Tate as Motown founder Berry Gordy, Laura Harrier as Jackson 5 dresser Suzanne de Passe, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Jessica Sula as sister La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones, among others.