Jaafar Jackson Stars in Controversial Michael Jackson Biopic
The first trailer for the long-awaited Michael Jackson biopic has finally been released online, and it has sparked a mix of excitement and controversy. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, was meant to hit cinemas months ago but faced multiple delays due to legal issues and reshoots, and it’s now scheduled for release in April 2026. The trailer offers a glossy, almost celebratory look at Jackson's life and career, set to a medley of his iconic tracks, but it notably avoids addressing the serious allegations of child sexual abuse that have surrounded him.
The biopic stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, in the lead role. From the opening moments, the trailer sets an emotional tone, with a voice-over from Quincy Jones, portrayed by Kendrick Sampson, saying, "I know you've been waiting a long time for this. The tracks are made; the songs are ready. Let's take it from the top." His words carry a dual meaning, reflecting both the music and the movie’s lengthy, troubled production history.
The trailer shows glimpses of Jackson’s family life alongside his career highlights—scenes of him laughing with his family around the kitchen table are interspersed with electrifying stage performances. The film promises to offer a personal perspective on Michael, aiming to humanize him and show life beyond the music. However, critics have pointed out that the film appears to sanitize controversial parts of his story, including allegations of child abuse and the childhood trauma he reportedly suffered from his father, Joe Jackson.
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Legal complications reportedly caused the film to be reshot. The initial script included scenes about Jordan Chandler, the child involved in a 1993 sexual abuse case against Jackson, which were later removed after the estate realized these would violate the terms of a settlement. Jackson, who passed away in 2009, was acquitted in 2005 of separate child sexual abuse charges, and he consistently denied all allegations.
Criticism has also come from Dan Reed, director of the documentary Leaving Neverland , who called early drafts of the screenplay "startlingly disingenuous," claiming the film discredits alleged victims while portraying Jackson as caring exclusively for children in innocent or wholesome situations. On the other hand, producer Graham King has defended the film, stating it aims to humanize but not sanitize, and to present a compelling, unbiased story for viewers to interpret.
Other notable cast members include Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Jessica Sula as LaToya Jackson. Despite earlier claims by Colman Domingo that Jackson’s children were supportive of the project, Paris Jackson publicly clarified she had no involvement, noting that she gave feedback on early drafts but moved on when her concerns weren’t addressed.
With a reported budget of $155 million, the film is set to be a major cinematic event, offering fans an intimate look at one of pop music’s most iconic and polarizing figures. April 2026 will finally give audiences the chance to see Jaafar Jackson step into the shoes of his legendary uncle and bring this highly anticipated, yet controversial story to life.
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