The halls of CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas resounded with heartfelt applause as producer Graham King brought the Lionsgate CinemaCon finale to a poignant conclusion. Revealing the inaugural trailer of the film “Michael,” scheduled to release in theaters on April 18, 2025, director Antoine Fuqua (known for “The Equalizer” series and “Southpaw”) is at the helm of this biographical musical drama.
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When did Michael Jackson die?
Michael Jackson passed away from cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009, triggered by an overdose of propofol and benzodiazepine.
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Exclusive to CinemaCon: Sneak Peek at the Michael Biopic
The teaser unfolds with the thunderous cheers of devoted fans celebrating their beloved icon. According to Deadline, the footage transports viewers back to Jackson’s childhood, where his mother imparts timeless wisdom: “There might be some people who think you’re different, and that’s going to make life a little harder for you, but you never were like anyone else.”
A subsequent voice-over delves into the profound significance of performance in Jackson’s life, portraying it as a realm of pure enchantment.
Furthermore, The Hollywood Reporter discloses that King’s ambitious project will feature over 30 songs and is poised to be an extensive portrayal of the King of Pop’s musical journey.
The film’s producer also addressed Jackson’s several scandals. He announced, “behind the unrelenting scrutiny” and the blinding spotlight, the Thriller hitmaker was “simply a man,” “who lived a very complicated life.”
Cast & Crew of The Michael Jackson Biopic
Jaafar Jackson, the real-life nephew of “The Man in the Mirror,” embodies the titular magnetic star in the film. Joining him in the cast are Colman Domingo as father Joe Jackson, Nia Long as mother Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller portraying manager John Branca.
Antoine Fuqua, the director, remarked in an interview with EW that the resemblance between uncle and nephew is “remarkable.” He further expressed being “blown away” by how the 27-year-old mirrors his famous uncle: “Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really uncanny. Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away.”
Jaafar Jackson’s Journey to Portraying Michael Jackson in ‘Man In the Mirror’
According to media reports, the film aims to transcend the allegations of abuse and illuminate the life of the man himself. Much like the images previously shared on Jaafar’s Instagram account, the trailer purportedly emphasizes the striking resemblance between him and the iconic MJ, staying faithful to his persona as a mysterious dance icon.
In January 2023, the 27-year-old singer-dancer-actor took to Instagram, sharing a photo showcasing his uncanny likeness to The Gloved One. He captioned the post: “I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon.”
Fast forward to 2024, the initial glimpse of the forthcoming biopic has left audiences captivated with a sneak peek into Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of Michael Jackson’s “Man In the Mirror.” The seemingly extensive film promises to delve into “all of it” – encompassing both the highs and lows of Jackson’s life.
Recently, the son of the late singer, Prince Jackson, took to Instagram to post a photo of Jaafar dressed as Michael for a photoshoot. The caption read, “Special thanks to my cousin @jaafarjackson watching you perform and work your butt off is the closest I’ll ever come to watching my dad in concert and it’s been a dream come true! Proud of you cuz! (sic).” In the image, Jaafar recreated a specific moment from Michael’s 90s Dangerous Tour, originally captured by the singer’s photographer Kevin Mazur.
Lionsgate’s Spectacular Lineup Unveiled at CinemaCon
Alongside the highly anticipated release of “Michael” in 2025, the Lionsgate CinemaCon presentation unveiled a plethora of exciting announcements regarding their upcoming projects. These include “Highlander” featuring Henry Cavill, “Now You See Me 3,” a remake of “The Blair Witch,” a live-action adaptation of “Monopoly” produced by Margot Robbie, “Borderlands,” “The Crow,” “Never Let Go” starring Halle Berry, “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” Guy Ritchie’s “The Grey” starring Cavill and Jake Gyllenhaal, Ana de Armas leading the John Wick spin-off “Ballerina,” and much more.
