Editing Michael (2025)


{{MovieInfobox}}

'''''Michael''''' is an upcoming American [[Biographical film|biographical]] [[musical film|musical]] drama film directed by [[Antoine Fuqua]] and written by [[John Logan (writer)|John Logan]], based on the life of the American singer 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]], [[Jessica Sula]], Liv Symone, [[Kevin Shinick]], KeiLyn Durrel Jones, [[Kendrick Sampson]] and [[Derek Luke]].

''Michael'' is scheduled for release in the United States on April 18, 2025, by [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]], and by [[Universal Pictures]] internationally.

== Premise ==
The film follows the life and career of Michael Jackson.<ref name="Lionsgate" />

== Cast ==
*[[Jaafar Jackson]] as [[Michael Jackson]]
**Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael
*[[Colman Domingo]] as [[Joe Jackson (talent manager)|Joe Jackson]]
*[[Nia Long]] as [[Katherine Jackson]]
*[[Miles Teller]] as [[John Branca]]
*[[Laura Harrier]] as [[Suzanne de Passe]]
*Jamal R. Henderson as [[Jermaine Jackson]]
**Jayden Harville as young Jermaine
*Tre Horton as [[Marlon Jackson]]
**Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as young Marlon
*Rhyan Hill as [[Tito Jackson]]
**Judah Edwards as young Tito
*[[Joseph David-Jones]] as [[Jackie Jackson]]
**Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as young Jackie
*[[Kat Graham]] as [[Diana Ross]]
*[[Larenz Tate]] as [[Berry Gordy]]
*[[Jessica Sula]] as [[La Toya Jackson]]
*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 ==

===Pre-production===
In November 2019, it was announced that [[Graham King]] had secured the rights to produce a film about [[Michael Jackson]], with [[John Logan (writer)|John Logan]] set to write the screenplay.<ref name="LoganNov2019" /> In February 2022, [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]] acquired the distribution rights.<ref name="Lionsgate2" /> Casting began in June, with Kimberly Hardin as the casting director. Production was expected to start in 2023.<ref name="BackstageJun2022" /> In January 2023, [[Antoine Fuqua]] was announced as the director,<ref name="FuquaJan2023" /> and Jackson's nephew [[Jaafar Jackson]] was announced to play Jackson.<ref name="JaafarJan2023" /> In January 2024, the newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi was cast as a young Michael,<ref name="KrueValdi" /> as well as [[Colman Domingo]] as [[Joe Jackson (talent manager)|Joe Jackson]],<ref name="Domingo" /> and [[Nia Long]] as [[Katherine Jackson]].<ref name="Long" /> Also that month, [[Miles Teller]] was reported to be in talks to play one of Jackson's attorneys.<ref name="TellerJan2024" /> In February, Teller was confirmed to play [[John Branca]].<ref name="TellerFeb2024" /> The cast for the rest of [[the Jackson 5]] were announced later that month,<ref name="Jackson5Cast" /> 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.<ref name="Harrier" /><ref name="GrahamTate" /> In April 2024, [[Derek Luke]] was added to the cast as [[Johnnie Cochran]].<ref name="Luke" /> The screenplay includes content regarding [[Child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson|child sexual abuse accusations against Jackson]], with King saying that he wanted to "humanize but not sanitize and present the most compelling, unbiased story".<ref name="VarietyUnbiased" />
===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] was scheduled to begin in mid-2023 over 80 days in Santa Barbara and was projected to spend $120 million on crew wages and vendors, according to the [[California Film Commission]].<ref name="LATimesMar2023" /> Filming was delayed in September 2023 due to the [[2023 SAG-AFTRA strike]].<ref name="FilmingDelay" /> Filming eventually began on January 22, 2024,<ref name="ReleaseDate" /> with [[Dion Beebe]] serving as the cinematographer. [[Barbara Ling]] serves as the production designer, and [[Marci Rodgers]] as the costume designer.<ref name="Crew" />

== Release ==
''Michael'' will be distributed by [[Lionsgate]] in the United States on April 18, 2025,<ref name="ReleaseDate2" /> and by [[Universal Pictures]] internationally, except for the United Kingdom and Japan.<ref name="UniversalIntlRelease" /> A surprise first look was shown to theatre owners at [[National Association of Theatre Owners|CinemaCon]] on April 10, 2024, to positive reception.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/michael-jackson-biopic-trailer-cinemacon-1235963898/ |title=Michael Jackson Biopic Trailer Electrifies CinemaCon With Moonwalking King of Pop, ‘Thriller’ Performance and More |date=April 10, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |last2=Lang |first2=Brent}}</ref>

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}

== References ==
[[Category:2025 films]]
[[Category:Upcoming films]]
[[Category:2020s American films]]
[[Category:2020s English-language films]]
[[Category:2020s historical films]]
[[Category:2020s musical drama films]]
[[Category:African-American films]]
[[Category:African-American biographical dramas]]
[[Category:African-American musical films]]
[[Category:American biographical drama films]]
[[Category:American historical films]]
[[Category:American musical drama films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about Michael Jackson]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Michael Jackson]]
[[Category:Biographical films about singers]]
[[Category:Drama films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of American people]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of pop musicians]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of soul musicians]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of rock musicians]]
[[Category:Films about musical groups]]
[[Category:Films directed by Antoine Fuqua]]
[[Category:Films produced by Graham King]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by John Logan]]
[[Category:Films set in Indiana]]
[[Category:GK Films films]]
[[Category:The Jackson 5]]
[[Category:Lionsgate films]]
[[Category:Universal Pictures films]]
[[Category:Michael Jackson]]
[[Category:Upcoming English-language films]]