‘Michael’ Trailer Debuts First Footage of Michael Jackson Biopic

Movies about Michael Jackson are pretty predictable in a good way – you can always expect fantastic music and incredible dance performances. They usually cover his life story, from his beginnings with the Jackson 5 to the peak of his fame with the success of the Thriller album and its iconic music video.

The trailer for the new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, really captures the essence of the iconic performer. The film stars Jaafar Jackson – Michael’s nephew – as the King of Pop, and he remarkably resembles and sounds just like his uncle. Even from the short clips shown, he seems to have mastered Michael’s signature dance moves.

Despite what the trailer shows, many questions remain. It’s unclear how much the film will address Michael Jackson’s controversies and personal life, especially since it was made with his estate’s cooperation. We also don’t know how much footage was changed or added after filming. The studio previously considered releasing the movie in two parts, but that plan seems to have been abandoned, though it’s still not completely certain.

You can watch the trailer for Michael below.

We won’t have definitive answers to many questions until the movie is released. The film has been in the works for years, facing multiple delays and reshoots. It was originally announced in 2022, and Jaafar Jackson was cast as the lead in early 2023.

Recent online reports suggest the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic underwent story changes due to scenes potentially conflicting with a past legal settlement involving allegations of sexual abuse. Initially, after reshoots, the film was rumored to be around four hours long and possibly split into two parts. However, according to Wikipedia, the film is now expected in 2026 as a single movie with a runtime of three and a half hours. Even considering Michael Jackson’s complicated life and extensive musical catalog, that’s a remarkably long film.

Here is the film’s official synopsis:

This film explores the life and lasting impact of Michael Jackson, going beyond his music to reveal the person behind the legend. It follows his path from child star as the leader of the Jackson Five to his evolution as a groundbreaking artist driven to become the world’s greatest entertainer. Featuring both intimate moments from his personal life and unforgettable performances from his early solo years, the film offers a unique and revealing look at Michael Jackson – and the beginning of his incredible story.

Michael is currently scheduled to open in theaters on April 24, 2026.

10 Movies That Sparked Major Controversy When They Were Released

Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Even the title of the movie Cannibal Holocaust hints at the controversy it caused when it came out. The film is infamous for its extreme gore, violence – including scenes of cannibalism – and actual animal cruelty. Because of this, it was banned or heavily censored in many countries and is considered one of the most shocking exploitation films ever made. Film experts still debate whether the graphic violence is a critique of how journalists exploit indigenous cultures, or simply another example of that exploitation. Regardless, the film was highly influential, pioneering the “found footage” technique decades before The Blair Witch Project popularized it.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

As a lifelong movie fan, I remember when Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom first came out. While it’s now often discussed for how it handled India and its people, back then the big controversy wasn’t about sensitivity – it was about how intense it was! It’s a really dark Indy film, packed with scary and violent scenes that genuinely shocked parents. They couldn’t believe it got a PG rating! The outcry over Temple of Doom, and then Gremlins coming out just weeks later, actually led to the creation of the PG-13 rating. The MPAA needed a way to warn parents about things like, well, black magic Kali rituals and cute little critters committing murder, so they created a new category to protect younger viewers.

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

As a film critic, I’ve seen a lot of movies tackle faith, and Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ definitely stands out – and caused a huge stir when it came out. It wasn’t shy about showing Jesus as a man struggling with very human desires, even depicting moments of sexual fantasy, which understandably upset some Christian groups and led to boycotts. Interestingly, not all religious leaders hated it – some actually praised its exploration of faith. The filmmakers even included a disclaimer at the start, making it clear this wasn’t a literal retelling of the Gospels, but rather a fictional take on the eternal struggle between spirit and flesh. It’s a bold film, based on a controversial novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, and it definitely isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions.

JFK (1991)

Almost immediately after production started, Oliver Stone’s film JFK, which suggested Lee Harvey Oswald was a pawn in President Kennedy’s assassination, faced strong criticism from the media and the U.S. government. Newspapers published harsh reviews, accusing the film of promoting conspiracy theories and falsely claiming a secret plot to put Lyndon B. Johnson into power. Even after the film was released, critics continued to debate whether its compelling story justified presenting potentially false information.

Dogma (1999)

It’s not surprising that the movie Dogma, which features two angels questioning God’s power and unraveling reality, caused controversy with some religious groups. The Catholic League, in particular, strongly criticized the film as blasphemous, arguing that it trivialized important religious topics. Protests occurred in several countries, delaying the film’s release, and the director, Kevin Smith, even received death threats. He jokingly joined one protest pretending to oppose his own movie. As often happens, the controversy actually increased interest in the film, making it the most financially successful in Smith’s View Askewniverse series.

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Similar to the controversial film The Last Temptation of Christ, The Da Vinci Code, adapted from Dan Brown’s novel, portrays a Jesus that many religious groups found upsetting. However, while The Last Temptation of Christ presented a more internal struggle, The Da Vinci Code claims this version of Jesus—married to Mary Magdalene and with a daughter—is a hidden historical truth. The story suggests the Catholic Church has concealed this information for centuries to protect the Holy Grail. Although the movie and book are works of fiction, Brown maintained that elements like secret rituals and the Priory of Sion are based on real history. Untangling the truth from the fiction will require a sharp mind, much like the book’s protagonist, Robert Langdon.

Antichrist (2009)

Lars Von Trier’s films are known for dividing audiences. The Danish director frequently tackles disturbing and violent subjects, and his 2009 film, Antichrist, is a prime example. Its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival was notorious, with some viewers walking out or even fainting due to its graphic content. The film stemmed from a period of severe depression for Von Trier, and it began a series of three films exploring the theme – followed by Melancholia and Nymphomaniac. When Antichrist was released, two versions were made available: a heavily edited “Catholic” version and an uncut “Protestant” version. While most countries received the uncut version, it was often given a restricted rating.

Black Swan (2010)

When Black Swan was released, it sharply divided audiences – people either loved it or hated it. Many professional ballerinas were particularly critical, finding the film to be an exaggerated and unrealistic depiction of a dancer’s life. They often criticized it for being overly sensational and sexualized, as much of the story focuses on a demanding instructor pushing his lead dancer to be more provocative. Ballerina Sarah Lane also pointed out that she wasn’t properly credited as Natalie Portman’s dance double, and that the filmmakers implied Portman performed all the dancing herself.

The Interview (2014)

The movie The Interview, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, caused a major international incident with North Korea. The film’s plot – a satirical take on assassinating Kim Jong Un during a fictional interview – deeply offended the North Korean government, who threatened the U.S. if Sony released it. Following these threats, Sony’s computer systems were hacked, reportedly by a group linked to North Korea, and theaters were warned against showing the film. Ultimately, most major U.S. movie theaters refused to screen it. Sony then released The Interview online on Christmas Eve 2014, followed by a limited theatrical release the next day.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

The Star Wars franchise has often faced criticism, particularly with its prequel films which disappointed many fans, and later with the sequel trilogy which sparked intense debate. Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi, the middle film of the new trilogy, was especially divisive. It provoked such strong reactions that the next film essentially undid many of its plot points. The movie seemed to upset everyone, whether it was over details like Luke Skywalker’s behavior or the way certain characters’ stories developed. The backlash even became extreme enough that actress Kelly Marie Tran was driven off social media. The Last Jedi signaled a shift in how franchises are made, where avoiding fan disappointment became the priority, and the loudest voices often dominate the conversation.

2025-11-06 18:27