A new biopic about Michael Jackson, “Michael,” is slated for release in April 2026, nearly 15 years after the singer’s death and amidst ongoing controversy surrounding allegations of sexual abuse. The film, starring Jaafar Jackson-Michael’s nephew-as the iconic performer, is already drawing criticism for perhaps offering a sanitized portrayal of the complex and often troubled pop star. Concerns center on the level of creative control granted to the Jackson estate and whether the film will fully address the serious allegations that plagued Jackson’s later years, and also the legal settlements that followed.
Despite numerous films chronicling his life and career, Michael Jackson continues to captivate audiences. A new biopic, “Michael,” is set to arrive in theaters in April 2026, offering another look into the life of the King of Pop.
Preparations for the global theatrical release are already facing scrutiny, with critics alleging the film glosses over sensitive details in an attempt to rehabilitate the image of the globally renowned singer, who was embroiled in allegations of sexual abuse involving children. One of the film’s most vocal critics is Jackson’s daughter, Paris, 27, who described the movie as “sugarcoated,” claiming it presents an idealized and inaccurate portrayal of her father to appease fans and family.
The Jackson family has significant involvement in the film, with the estate overseeing the script and production process. Critics argue this level of family control compromises the film’s objectivity and accuracy. Adding to the family connection, Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, stars in the lead role, marking his acting debut after years as a singer and dancer since the age of 12.
A one-minute trailer for the film garnered over 116 million views in under 24 hours, setting a new record and signaling strong public interest. The quick preview suggests a visually stunning and large-scale production, with an estimated budget of $155 million.
The announcement of the official release date follows a complex production process marked by repeated delays. One initial setback stemmed from objections raised by Jordan Chandler, one of Jackson’s accusers, regarding the inclusion of his story within the film.
In 1993, Chandler accused Jackson of sexually abusing him at age 13. The highly publicized case was settled out of court for $25 million, with a guarantee that no future films about Jackson would mention him or his family. The “Michael” team initially overlooked this agreement, forcing a script rewrite after Chandler’s protest.
The resurfacing of Jackson’s sexual abuse allegations in 2019 with the release of the Netflix documentary “Leaving Neverland” has further fueled the controversy. After reviewing the film’s script, Dan Reed, the director of “Leaving Neverland,” called the upcoming biopic a “whitewash.” In an interview with The Times of London, Reed added that the film contains “a lot of lies” and is a deliberate attempt to rewrite and then dismiss the allegations against Jackson. According to Reed: “You don’t see him alone with any child, even though he spent years sharing his bed with children.”
Antoine Fuqua, the film’s director, countered that his goal was to “tell the story as we know it about the artist, the man, and the human being.” Producer Graham King added that “Michael’s life was complex. As a filmmaker, I strive to humanize, not to polish, and to deliver a compelling and objective story, then leave it to the audience to make up their own minds.”
Whenever a family member becomes deeply involved in a biographical project, questions of objectivity and truthful representation often arise. Family members frequently impose conditions on producers, writers, and directors to present the subject in the most favorable light. This is precisely what has drawn criticism to “Michael,” which, according to critics, overlooks the sexual abuse allegations that led to Jackson’s arrest and trial in 2003.
The film instead focuses on the artistic aspects of Jackson’s life, from his early performances with the Jackson 5 to his rise as the “King of Pop” and a music icon. It also acknowledges the personal tragedies that shadowed his success.
“Michael” recreates more than 30 of the artist’s songs and iconic stage moments. Jaafar Jackson’s performance has been praised by those involved in the production.
The 29-year-old was 13 when his uncle died, but has drawn significant inspiration from him. In the film, he performs some of the songs himself and excels in the “moonwalk” dance made famous by the King of Pop. Director Fuqua told Entertainment Weekly that the resemblance is striking: “He sings, he talks, he dances like him. It’s uncanny. When Graham King brought him to me, I was blown away.”
Alongside Jaafar Jackson as Michael, the film features a large ensemble cast, including Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Michael’s father, another controversial figure due to his perceived negative influence on his son’s life. Miles Teller also stars as John Branca, Jackson’s manager and attorney, and Nia Long portrays Jackson’s mother, Katherine.
The film’s biggest challenge for audiences may be its runtime, clocking in at three and a half hours. There was discussion of splitting the film into two parts, but it will ultimately be released as a single feature.
