Michael (2025 film)

Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, based on the life of the American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. It stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut, alongside Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Derek Luke.

Michael is scheduled for release in the United States on April 18, 2025, by Lionsgate, and by Universal Pictures internationally.

Premise
The film follows the life and career of Michael Jackson, since he joined the Jackson 5 until his death, weeks before his last tour.

Cast

 * Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
 * Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael
 * Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
 * Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
 * Miles Teller as John Branca
 * Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe
 * Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson
 * Jayden Harville as young Jermaine
 * Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson
 * Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as young Marlon
 * Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson
 * Judah Edwards as young Tito
 * Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson
 * Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as young Jackie
 * Kat Graham as Diana Ross
 * Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy
 * Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson
 * Liv Symone as Gladys Knight
 * Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark
 * KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray
 * Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones
 * Derek Luke as Johnnie Cochran

Pre-production
In November 2019, it was announced that Graham King had secured the rights to produce a film about Michael Jackson, with John Logan set to write the screenplay. In February 2022, Lionsgate acquired the distribution rights. Casting began in June, with Kimberly Hardin as the casting director. Production was expected to start in 2023. In January 2023, Antoine Fuqua was announced as the director, and Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson was announced to play Jackson. In January 2024, the newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi was cast as a young Michael, as well as Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. Also that month, Miles Teller was reported to be in talks to play one of Jackson's attorneys. In February, Teller was confirmed to play John Branca. The cast for the rest of the Jackson 5 were announced later that month, with Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, Jessica Sula, Liv Symone, Kevin Shinick, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and Kendrick Sampson being added to portray Suzanne de Passe, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, La Toya Jackson, Gladys Knight, Dick Clark, Bill Bray, and Quincy Jones in March. In April 2024, Derek Luke was added to the cast as Johnnie Cochran. The screenplay includes content regarding child sexual abuse accusations against Jackson, with King saying that he wanted to "humanize but not sanitize and present the most compelling, unbiased story".

Filming
Principal photography was scheduled to begin in mid-2023 over 80 days in Santa Barbara and was projected to spend $120 million on crew wages and vendors, according to the California Film Commission. Filming was delayed in September 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Filming eventually began on January 22, 2024, with Dion Beebe serving as the cinematographer. Barbara Ling serves as the production designer, and Marci Rodgers as the costume designer. Filming wrapped on May 30, 2024, as it was announced by GK Films via social media.

Release
Michael will be distributed by Lionsgate in the United States on April 18, 2025, and by Universal Pictures internationally, except for Japan; Kino Films will handle distribution in that country. A surprise first look was shown to theatre owners at CinemaCon on April 10, 2024, to positive reception.