Upcoming film by Antoine Fuqua
Michael Directed by
Antoine Fuqua Written by
John Logan Produced by Starring Cinematography
Dion Beebe Production company
Distributed by Release date
April 18, 2025 (2025-04-18 )
Country United States Language English Budget $155 million
[1]
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 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 ,
Jessica Sula , Liv Symone,
Kevin Shinick , KeiLyn Durrel Jones,
Kendrick Sampson 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.
[2]
Cast
Production
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.
[3] In February 2022,
Lionsgate acquired the distribution rights.
[2] Casting began in June, with Kimberly Hardin as the casting director. Production was expected to start in 2023.
[4] In January 2023,
Antoine Fuqua was announced as the director,
[5] and Jackson's nephew
Jaafar Jackson was announced to play Jackson.
[6] In January 2024, the newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi was cast as a young Michael,
[7] as well as
Colman Domingo as
Joe Jackson ,
[8] and
Nia Long as
Katherine Jackson .
[9] Also that month,
Miles Teller was reported to be in talks to play one of Jackson's attorneys.
[10] In February, Teller was confirmed to play
John Branca .
[11] The cast for the rest of
the Jackson 5 were announced later that month,
[12] 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.
[13]
[14] In April 2024,
Derek Luke was added to the cast as
Johnnie Cochran .
[15] 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".
[1]
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 .
[16] Filming was delayed in September 2023 due to the
2023 SAG-AFTRA strike .
[17] Filming eventually began on January 22, 2024,
[18] with
Dion Beebe serving as the cinematographer.
Barbara Ling serves as the production designer, and
Marci Rodgers as the costume designer.
[19]
Release
Michael will be distributed by
Lionsgate in the United States on April 18, 2025,
[18] and by
Universal Pictures internationally, except for the United Kingdom and Japan.
[20] A surprise first look was shown to theatre owners at
CinemaCon on April 10, 2024, to positive reception.
[21]
References
^
a
b Vary, Adam B. (March 13, 2024).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Team Touts 'Unbiased' Look at Pop Star; 'Leaving Neverland' Director Calls Script Draft 'Startlingly Disingenuous' " .
Variety .
Archived from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024 .
^
a
b D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 7, 2022).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Michael From Producer Graham King & Scribe John Logan Lands At Lionsgate" .
Deadline Hollywood .
Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022 .
^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 22, 2019).
"Michael Jackson's Life Getting Movie Treatment; The Aviator ' s Graham King & John Logan Reteam, And MJ Estate Aboard" .
Deadline Hollywood .
Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022 .
^ Welch, Rebecca (June 15, 2022).
"Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic, Michael , Is Casting for Its Star" .
Backstage .
Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 .
^ Davis, Clayton (January 18, 2023).
"Antoine Fuqua to Direct Michael Jackson Biopic for Lionsgate, Set to Begin Shooting This Year" .
Variety .
Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023 .
^ Rubin, Rebecca (January 30, 2023).
"Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar to Star in Biopic Michael " .
Variety .
Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023 .
^ Anthony, D'Alessandro (January 18, 2024).
"Lionsgate Finds Young Michael Jackson in Juliano Krue Valdi for Antoine Fuqua's Michael " .
Deadline Hollywood .
Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024 .
^ Vlessing, Etan (January 25, 2024).
"Colman Domingo to Play Michael Jackson's Father in Biopic" .
The Hollywood Reporter .
Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024 .
^ Anthony, D'Alessandro (January 30, 2024).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Michael Sets Nia Long As Matriarch Katherine Jackson" .
Deadline Hollywood .
Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2024).
"Miles Teller Circling Lionsgate & Universal Michael Jackson Biopic Michael " .
The Wrap .
Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024 .
^ Chitwood, Adam (February 6, 2024).
"Miles Teller to Play Michael Jackson Attorney John Branca in Biopic" .
The Wrap .
Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024 .
^ Gajewski, Ryan (February 27, 2024).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Casts Its Jackson 5" .
The Hollywood Reporter .
Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024 .
^ Donnelly, Matt (March 6, 2024).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Laura Harrier as Pioneering Music Exec Suzanne de Passe (EXCLUSIVE)" .
Variety . Retrieved March 7, 2024 .
^ Jackson, Angelique (March 25, 2024).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy" .
Variety . Retrieved March 25, 2024 .
^ Grobar, Matt (April 23, 2024).
"Derek Luke To Play Johnnie Cochran In Lionsgate's 'Michael' " .
Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 23, 2024 .
^ Sakoui, Anousha (March 6, 2023).
"Michael Jackson biopic to spend a record $120 million in California under state tax credit program" .
Los Angeles Times .
Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023 .
^
"Director Antoine Fuque says he is readying for Michael Jackson movie" .
Salamanca Press . September 12, 2023.
Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023 .
^
a
b Jackson, Angelique (January 11, 2024).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Set for 2025 Release" .
Variety .
Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024 .
^ D'Alessasndro, Anthony (January 11, 2024).
"Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson Biopic Gets Global Release Date Via Lionsgate & Universal" .
Deadline Hollywood .
Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024 .
^ Grobar, Matt (October 3, 2023).
"Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic Michael To Be Released Internationally By Universal" .
Deadline Hollywood .
Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023 .
^ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (April 10, 2024).
"Michael Jackson Biopic Trailer Electrifies CinemaCon With Moonwalking King of Pop, 'Thriller' Performance and More" .
Variety . Retrieved April 12, 2024 .
External links
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