Early Buzz Says Michael Hits All the Right Notes in a Rousing Music Biopic

Well, it had to happen sooner or later: we’re finally getting a big Michael Jackson biopic, simply called Michael, and there are a few twists and turns before it even lands in theaters. Here’s everything you should probably know.

The Team & The Lifelong Challenge

Antoine Fuqua (yep, the guy behind Training Day and Emancipation) is directing, with a script from John Logan, which already sets the bar higher than your average music biopic.

But the real conversation starter? Michael is played by Jaafar Jackson—his actual nephew. So, when it comes to moonwalking, the family DNA is definitely in the movie’s favor. This is Jaafar's first big film role; talk about debut pressure.

What’s The Story?

The movie’s a cradle-to-king-of-pop retelling, starting from little Michael in the Jackson 5 days of the '60s and '70s, through those solo megahits: Off the Wall in 1979, Thriller in '82, and Bad in '87. So you get both baby-fro Michael and that iconic red-jacket Michael.

The Drama Behind The Scenes

It wouldn't be a Michael Jackson project without some kind of family tension and public controversy, right? Michael's daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly aired her issues with the film, saying she wasn’t involved and that some story details just aren’t what actually happened. On top of that, more than a few Jackson-watchers are skeptical that the movie will really tackle the complicated and, let’s be blunt, darker parts of Michael’s life.

Still, based on early trailers, it looks like they're going big on spectacle, and if you're here for the music and dance numbers, there will definitely be plenty of those.

First Reactions: Does It Actually Work?

The first wave of critics and industry folks have already seen Michael, and the consensus (so far) is surprisingly positive. Here’s a sampler of what’s blowing up on social media and review feeds:

• Jaafar Jackson is being called 'flawless' and '100% convincing' as his uncle, especially when nailing the signature moves and iconic moments.
• Colman Domingo (in a key supporting role) is getting a ton of love as well, with multiple critics saying he steals scenes right and left.
• The musical performances are apparently recreated 'to perfection.' So if you’re allergic to lip-syncing disasters, this one’s safe.
• Critics aren’t pretending the movie is all sunshine—one review points out it 'makes you wince where it needs to,' and others single out the 'attention to detail' and the 'flawed, lonely' side of MJ.
• One early reviewer called it 'one of the best music biopics' ever, so expectations are through the roof now.
• Not everything’s gold: at least one critic said the ending felt like a letdown, which may have something to do with the fact that they scrapped and reshot a big chunk of it before release.

On the music biopic scale, if you’re tired of movies like Bohemian Rhapsody and Elvis gently dodging the messy parts, Michael supposedly hits those darker beats a little more head-on. We’ll see if that holds up when the general audience gets their say, but right now, the vibes are good for a biopic about a guy everyone has an opinion about.

The Cast & Essentials

Here’s the barebones (ahem) cast info:

Michael is a US biographical musical drama, opening April 24, 2026, in the US and just about everywhere else. Antoine Fuqua directs, John Logan writes. Jaafar Jackson makes his acting debut in the title role, and Colman Domingo’s along for what critics say is a very fun ride.

Will Michael be the next unstoppable music biopic, or will it spark as much drama after release as it did before? We'll find out soon enough. Either way, the moonwalk’s back on the big screen.