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Michael (2025 film)

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Michael
Directed byAntoine Fuqua
Written byJohn Logan
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDion Beebe
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • October 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
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, songwriter, 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, and Derek Luke.

Michael is scheduled for release in the United States on October 3, 2025, by Lionsgate, and by Universal Pictures internationally.

Premise

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The film follows 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.[2]

Cast

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Production

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Development and casting

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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]

That same month, casting began, with Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson being 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]

Writing

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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

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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.[16] Filming was delayed in September 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[17]

Filming began on January 22, 2024, and ended on May 30.[18][19] Dion Beebe was the cinematographer, Barbara Ling the production designer, and Marci Rodgers the costume designer.[20]

Visual effects

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Visual effects were provided by Cinesite.[21]

Release

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Michael will be distributed by Lionsgate in the United States on October 3, 2025,[22] Kino Films in Japan,[23] and Universal Pictures elsewhere.[24] It was previously scheduled to be released on April 18.[25] A surprise first look was shown to theatre-owners at CinemaCon on April 10, 2024, to positive reception.[26] Universal Pictures l said during a press release that the film would be backed by a unprecedented marketing campaign and investments in China as they expect the movie's box office return to exceed $2 billion. The studio later commented on Michael Jackson's legacy stating that "Michael Jackson's appeal in China is a cultural phenomenon. Among legends and symbols, the artist has been eternalized in statues and murals throughout the country, consolidating his image as the greatest foreign star of all time for the Chinese public. Today, there are more than nine monuments in honor of the "King of Pop" in Chinese cities, confirming the importance and dedication to him".[27] According to film analysts, the familiarity of the public with the figure of Michael Jackson whose popularity in the country rivals that of China's own national heroes could result in a extraordinary box office return.[28]

References

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Donnelly, Matt (March 6, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Laura Harrier as Pioneering Music Exec Suzanne de Passe (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  14. ^ Jackson, Angelique (March 25, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy". Variety. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 23, 2024). "Derek Luke To Play Johnnie Cochran In Lionsgate's 'Michael'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 11, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Set for 2025 Release". Variety. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  19. ^ Peralta, Diego (May 31, 2024). "Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson Biopic Gets a Big Update". Collider. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Michael". Cinesite. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  22. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 5, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Moonwalks To Fall 2025, Aziz Ansari's 'Good Fortune' Eyes Luck There Too: Lionsgate Release Dates". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  23. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 18, 2024). "'Michael': Kino Films To Distribute Michael Jackson Biopic In Japan". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (April 10, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Trailer Electrifies CinemaCon With Moonwalking King of Pop, 'Thriller' Performance and More". Variety. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  27. ^ "Lionsgate/Universal Expect Michael Jackson Biopic to Get "Multi-Billion Dollar Box-Office"". World of Reel. August 19, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Beats, M. J. (October 29, 2024). "MICHAEL: Universal Pictures prepara o lançamento da cinebiografia de Michael Jackson na China". MJ Beats (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 5, 2024.
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