New Michael Jackson Movie Gets Official Trailer

Film Feature by Chris Olson

The musical biopic has become a staple of the modern cinematic landscape, a genre that often teeters between hagiography and gritty realism. From the foot-stomping success of Bohemian Rhapsody to the psychedelic flourishes of Rocketman, audiences have proven they have a nearly bottomless appetite for the origin stories of their idols. However, none carry the cultural weight, the complexity, or the sheer visual potential of the latest subject to take centre stage. The official trailer for Michael has finally arrived, and if the first look is anything to go by, director Antoine Fuqua is aiming for nothing less than a definitive epic of the man who redefined the very concept of global stardom.

Scheduled to arrive in UK and Ireland cinemas and IMAX on 24th April 2026, Michael promises to be a sprawling exploration of the King of Pop’s life and legacy. For those of us who track the trajectory of British and international film, this is the kind of project that demands attention not just for its subject matter, but for the formidable creative team assembled behind the camera. Produced by Graham King—the man who navigated the Freddy Mercury story to box office records—and written by three-time Academy Award nominee John Logan, the pedigree here is undeniable.

The trailer opens with a haunting intimacy, immediately addressing the dual nature of Jackson’s existence: the immense public pressure and the internal drive for perfection. We hear voices of encouragement and demand—reminders of being "the greatest of all time" set against the harsh reality of Joe Jackson’s disciplinarian roots. "In this life, you’re either a winner or you’re a loser," bellows Colman Domingo’s Joe, grounding the film in the industrial grit of Gary, Indiana. It is a striking starting point that highlights the film’s intent to look "beyond the music," as the official synopsis suggests.

The most anticipated element of this production is, of course, the lead performance. Casting a figure as physically and vocally unique as Michael Jackson is a Herculean task, yet the choice of Jaafar Jackson—Michael’s own nephew—feels like a masterstroke of both authenticity and poetic symmetry. In the footage provided, the resemblance is frequently uncanny. It isn’t just the prosthetics or the iconic costumes; it is the way he holds himself, the softness of the speaking voice, and the explosive energy of the choreography. This is Jaafar’s feature film debut, and the trailer suggests a performance of immense vulnerability and physical precision.

Fuqua, known for his visceral directing style in films like Training Day and The Equalizer, seems to have traded his usual gritty palette for something more expansive and luminous. The trailer showcases a breadth of eras, from the Motown days of the Jackson Five—where Juliano Krue Valdi portrays a young Michael with startling charisma—to the solo heights of the 1980s. The cinematography captures the "magic" that Michael speaks of in the final moments of the teaser, promising a front-row seat to the creative process that birthed the visionary artist.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, adding significant weight to the drama. Academy Award nominee Colman Domingo appears to be a formidable presence as Joe Jackson, while Nia Long portrays the family matriarch, Katherine Jackson, with a quiet strength that serves as the emotional anchor of the trailer. Miles Teller and Laura Harrier also feature, suggesting a film that isn't afraid to populate its world with heavy-hitting dramatic talent to match the scale of the production.

What stands out most in this first look is the film’s focus on Michael’s personal philosophy. "I believe music can change the world," we hear him say, expressing a desire to spread "love, joy and peace." It is a sentiment that contrasts sharply with the glimpses of the media circus and the internal family pressures that sought to turn the Jackson name into a "brand" akin to Coca-Cola. By framing the story as a "relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world," John Logan’s screenplay appears to be examining the cost of that ambition.

For UK audiences, the promise of an IMAX release is particularly enticing. Jackson was an artist who thought in terms of grand scale—short films rather than music videos, and spectacles rather than concerts. To see these iconic performances recreated on the largest possible screen will be a nostalgic trip for long-time fans and a revelation for younger viewers who only know him through digital archives. The trailer hints at recreations of legendary stage moments that look set to benefit from the immersive power of the IMAX format.

As a film critic, one is always wary of the "sanitised" biopic, particularly when family members are involved in the production. However, the involvement of John Branca and John McClain, alongside the dramatic sensibilities of Fuqua and Logan, suggests a film that aims to be a serious piece of cinema rather than a mere tribute act. It seeks to humanise a man who was often treated as a myth or a tabloid fixture, returning the focus to the "visionary artist" and the "relentless pursuit" of his craft.

In the final seconds of the trailer, as the lights go down and the iconic silhouette emerges, there is a palpable sense of excitement. Whether you grew up during the height of Thriller-mania or discovered his music decades later, the influence of Michael Jackson is inescapable. Come April 2026, cinema-goers in the UK and Ireland will have the opportunity to see if Fuqua has successfully captured that lightning in a bottle. If the trailer is any indication, Michael will be the cinematic event of the year—a complex, vibrant, and deeply moving portrait of a life lived in the blinding glare of the spotlight. This is where his story begins, and on the evidence of this footage, it is a story that still has the power to captivate the world.