The first look of Michael Jackson’s biopic, Michael, was shown to participants at CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas. The film, which will transport audiences back to Jackson’s king-sized yet turbulent life, will be released in theaters on April 18, 2025.
The first look of the film, which stars Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, was revealed during Lionsgate’s presentation on Wednesday (April 10).
The trailer began with the audience cheering before showing Jackson’s stunning performance on hits such as “Man in the Mirror” and “Thriller.”
Jaafar dons his uncle’s iconic hat and recreates some of his moves in the unreleased clip. Furthermore, the video shows him in a limousine as Paparazzi attempts to capture him.
According to Variety, the film would include over 30 songs and recreate multiple performances of the Jackson 5 on their classic rendition of “ABC” on “American Bandstand.”
The film will also look at Michael’s difficult life and the numerous child sexual abuse charges that he has faced throughout his life
The short clip also showed the late pop star’s mother Katherine (played by Nia Long) telling him that he had a “very special light” and that he should “make that light shine on the world.”
“There might be some people who think you’re different, and that’s gonna make life a little harder for you,” Katherine says in the trailer.
“But you never were like anyone else. Michael, you have a very special light. So make that light shine onto the world,” she adds.
Furthermore, Michael says in the trailer, “When I’m not onstage, everything feels foreign to me.”
The film will also look at Michael’s difficult life and the numerous child sexual abuse charges that he has faced throughout his life. He died in 2009 after a drug overdose.
During the special premiere, producer Graham King stated that he was ‘looking forward to giving to the audience a thrill like they’ve never seen before.’
He also stated that “he’s been preparing for the movie for seven years, interviewing hundreds of people and carefully considering how to condense his complex life and legacy.”
Michael Jackson biopic: Cast
Aside from Jackson’s real nephew, Jaafar Jackon, the film stars Juliano Krue Valdi, 9, as the younger Michael. Colman Domingo will play Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, while Nia Long will play his mother, Katherine Jackson.
Michael’s four brothers have also been cast in the film. Jamal R. Henderson will play Jermaine Jackson, with Jayden Harville playing the younger version. Tre Horton will play Marlon Jackson, while Jaylen Lyndon Hunter will portray Marlon’s younger version. Miles Teller will play Jackson’s former manager and lawyer, John Branca.