Summary
- Lionsgate has released the official teaser trailer for “Michael,” the highly anticipated biographical drama starring the late singer’s nephew Jaafar Jackson
- The preview made history by amassing over 116 million views in its first 24 hours, becoming the most-watched trailer for a music biopic to date
- Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film focuses on the artist’s rise to global superstardom and includes recreations of his most iconic stage performances
Lionsgate has officially ignited the marketing campaign for Michael with a record-breaking teaser trailer that offers the world its first look at Jaafar Jackson in the title role. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King—the Oscar-winning producer behind Bohemian Rhapsody—the film aims to provide a definitive cinematic portrayal of Michael Jackson‘s complicated life and legacy. The trailer’s debut has already shattered industry benchmarks, racking up 116.2 million views within 24 hours and signaling massive global appetite for the 2026 theatrical release.
The teaser highlights Jackson’s transformative journey from a child prodigy in the Jackson 5 to the visionary solo artist who dominated the 1980s. Key sequences showcased in the footage include intimate recording sessions with Quincy Jones, a high-fidelity recreation of the “Thriller” music video set, and high-energy concert performances that capture Jaafar’s striking physical resemblance to his uncle. The cast is rounded out by an ensemble of heavy hitters, including Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as legendary attorney John Branca.
While the film has faced a lengthy development process involving reshoots and a shifting release calendar, the first footage suggests a focus on the singer’s creative process and “humanizing” his off-stage persona. The narrative follows Jackson through his relentless pursuit of becoming the greatest entertainer in the world, with cinematography by Dion Beebe helping to recreate the specific visual textures of the era. Despite its 210-minute runtime and previous rumors of a two-part split, the current trailer reinforces a single, epic theatrical event that will be presented in IMAX. The biopic premieres in theaters on April 24, 2026.
