# Michael (2025 film)

Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film based on the life of the American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. It is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan. Michael Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut. It also features 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 October 3, 2025, by Lionsgate, and by Universal Pictures internationally.

## Premise

The film follows Michael Jackson's life and career from his time with the Jackson 5 as a child in the 1960s and 1970s to his final weeks before his death in 2009.

## Cast

* Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
** Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael
* Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Michael's father
* Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother
* Miles Teller as John Branca, an entertainment lawyer and manager
* Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe
* Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson
** Jayden Harville as young Jermaine
* Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson, Michael's older brother
** Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as young Marlon
* Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson, Michael's older brother
** Judah Edwards as young Tito
* Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson, Michael's older brother
** Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as young Jackie
* Kat Graham as Diana Ross
* Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy
* Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Michael's older sister
* 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

## Production
### Development and casting

In November 2019, Deadline reported that Graham King had secured the rights to produce a film about Michael Jackson, with John Logan responsible for writing the screenplay, but it was still “not set up at a studio at this point”. In February 2022, the movie was officially announced with Lionsgate set up as the studio responsible for the film, owning the global distribution rights. In October 2023, Lionsgate announced that Universal Pictures “will serve as the international distributor for the Michael Jackson biopic”. In July 2024, Deadline reported that Tokyo-based Kino Films has struck a deal with Lionsgate and GK Films to distribute Michael in Japan.
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. Casting began that month, with Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson 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.

### Writing

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, California, 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 began on January 22, 2024, and ended on May 30. Dion Beebe was the cinematographer, Barbara Ling the production designer, and Marci Rodgers the costume designer.

### Post-production

In January 2025, it was reported that the third act would be reshot, due to the film not being able to legally showcase the alleged victim of the 1993 sexual abuse allegations Jordan Chandler, however these reports were denied by Lionsgate who told Variety that the film is still on track to release in October with no truth to the claims brought forward regarding the allegations causing a potential delay of the film or issues with the script. A source close to the production told People, "The Michael Jackson biopic is not in total chaos. The inflammatory headlines about the moving halting are simply not true. The film is moving forward, and reshoots are happening in March." According to Lionsgate during their annual earnings call, production for the film is nearing its completion as of February 6, 2025.

## Release

Michael will be distributed by Lionsgate in the United States on October 3, 2025, and Universal Pictures internationally (except for Japan). It was previously scheduled to be released on April 18. A first look was shown to theatre-owners at CinemaCon on April 10, 2024, to positive reception.