What to Expect from the Upcoming Michael Jackson Biopic Featuring Jaafar Jackson
Anticipation Builds for Michael Jackson's Biopic
Fans of Michael Jackson around the world are buzzing with excitement for the release of the highly anticipated biopic about the King of Pop. This film, starring Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the iconic singer, is set to debut on Friday, April 24. Ahead of its official launch, special early screenings were held in the United States, showcasing the film in premium formats like IMAX and Dolby just two days prior to the global release. Social media is abuzz with reactions from both audiences and critics. While opinions vary, Jaafar Jackson has made a significant impression. The film has stirred strong emotions among Jackson's loyal fanbase.
Michael Movie Release Date and Full Cast List
Michael X Reviews: Public Reactions to the Biopic
One viewer shared, "Jaafar Jackson gives a remarkable performance in Michael, making it easy to forget he isn’t the real deal. His performance is exceptional, though the rest of the film feels somewhat standard. Fans will enjoy the musical parts, but they could use more depth." Another user tweeted, "Critics may be tough on #Michael's film, but it’s made for the fans, so go enjoy it! The visuals are stunning!" A different review stated, "I just watched Michael, and it’s a must-see! Don’t let the reviews sway you! The film is a bit vague, but it’s tough to cover Michael’s extensive career in detail, especially since he was in the limelight from such a young age. The movie spans around 20 years of his career, showcasing pivotal moments. Jaafar Jackson captures Michael’s essence, from his voice to his movements. For fans, the story is clear in every moment," shared a viewer on X.
Check out the tweets here:
About the Biopic
This much-anticipated film is set to be released in theaters on April 24, 2026. Interestingly, the project was initially intended to explore how allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking impacted Jackson’s life and legacy. However, as reported by Variety, a significant portion of the film was cut after the Jackson estate's lawyers found a clause in a legal agreement that restricted references to a particular individual. This led to extensive rewrites and a delay in the film's release, with the budget reportedly increasing by $10 million to $15 million.
Lionsgate aims for the film to achieve a global box office of around $700 million. Whether it will meet this goal remains to be seen, but if it does, it could become the second highest-grossing music biopic of all time, following Bohemian Rhapsody, which earned $910 million worldwide.