A New Glimpse into the Life of the King of Pop: Trailer Drops for Michael - the Controversial Michael Jackson Biopic

When the first official trailer for Michael landed on 6 November 2025, for a few short minutes the world’s attention shifted back to the man known as the King of Pop. With the premiere of the long-awaited biopic about Michael Jackson, the pop culture universe is once again grappling with everything the star represented: staggering talent, a global legacy, and the controversies that shadowed his life. The trailer, which gives our first broad look at the film directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s nephew) as the eponymous icon, has already stirred discussion.

This blog unpacks what the trailer reveals, why the production has been so controversial, how it handles Jackson's complicated legacy, including the darker chapters, and what implications this might lead to for viewers when Michael lands in cinemas in April 2026.

1. What does the trailer show?

From the very opening frames of the trailer, Michael lays out its ambition: it wants to put the spotlight back on Michael Jackson's extraordinary life, on stage and off. Here are some of the moments we saw:

The video features Jaafar Jackson sporting an iconic red leather jacket and skeletal makeup from “Thriller,” one of Jackson's most recognizable images.

And we see him moon-walking-in-fedora-and-glove as in all other iconic performances-in front of screaming crowds, evoking the grandeur of Jackson's world-spanning shows.

The trailer also touches on Jackson's childhood and his early time with the Jackson 5, suggesting that the film will trace his trajectory from prodigy to global superstar.

Behind the glitter, though, there are some hints of depth: voice-overs or interstitials indicate that this will be a movie that reveals the "man behind the entertainer". The film's producer has even called Jackson's life "brilliant yet complicated".

Visually and tonally, the trailer leans heavily into what people loved about Jackson: spectacle, talent, stage presence. Choreography, wardrobe, and the casting of a Jackson family member all signal an attempt at authenticity.

2. Why was Michael such a controversial production?

While the trailer has surely whetted appetites, the path to this point has been far from smooth. Several major issues have fed the controversy around the biopic:

a) Shifting release dates/ delays

At first, Michael was supposed to come out in April 2025, then in October 2025, and finally on April 24, 2026. There are rumors that these changes are connected with extensive reshoots, legal complications, and even a probable splitting of the movie into two parts.

b) Legal hurdles

It also seems a previously undisclosed settlement agreement between Jackson and his 1993-accuser, Jordan Chandler, may have played a large role in the reshoots reportedly restricting how certain events were depicted. Production sources say parts of the third act had to be rewritten to comply.

c) Supervision of family and estate—and criticism

This is a film co-produced with what is believed to be the cooperation of the Jackson estate, though not every member of his family has endorsed it. Davis's daughter Paris Jackson publicly declared she had "zero per cent involvement" and called the project "sugar-coated" and "full-blown lies". Her statements conflicted with those of actor Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson, which she then disputed. The disconnect adds to a growing sense of unease about how this story will be told.

d) Legacy versus scrutiny

Jackson's life arc included unprecedented professional success, but also decades of allegations and public scrutiny-most recently the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland re-examining claims of child sexual abuse. That leaves a challenge: how do you make a biopic of a figure so beloved by many and so contentious for others? The film makers themselves say they want to show "the man behind the celebrity."

All of this adds up: the trailer isn’t just a preview of a film—it is the first public statement in a story already laden with tension.

3. The Creative Team and Casting: High-Stakes Choices

When you're attempting a big musical biopic like this, the people making it are every bit as important as the subject. Here are the key players:

Director Antoine Fuqua: Known for gritty thrillers and action films, such as Training Day and The Equalizer, Fuqua is somewhat out of type for a musical legend’s biopic—but perhaps that’s intentional.

Screenwriter John Logan: He's the Oscar-nominated writer behind films like Gladiator and The Aviator. His involvement signals ambition.

Lead actor Jaafar Jackson: Michael's nephew, cast to portray his uncle. The "family connection" adds symbolic weight—but also risks criticism if the portrayal is seen as biased.

Supporting cast includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Kat Graham as Diana Ross.

Producer Graham King: Known for Bohemian Rhapsody, which itself was a successful but also critiqued biopic. King’s involvement suggests the studio aims to replicate that kind of commercial success.

The casting of Jaafar is particularly interesting: on one hand, the nephew’s transformation into his uncle is visually striking-one that caused fans to note he looked very much like Jackson in early photos. On the other hand, some might accuse the film of “family bias” or lacking critical distance.

4. What the film promises—and what it might omit

Based on the trailer and the commentary surrounding it, the biography is set to delve into various phases in the life of Jackson: from his childhood in Gary Indiana, to evolving with the Jackson 5, to solo superstardom in the 1980s and 1990s, to personal struggles, to his legacy. Some details:

The film reportedly contains more than 30 of Jackson's songs.

The articulation by the producers: “a man who lived a very complicated life.”

Performance moments are accentuated in the trailer—"Thriller" recreation, classic stage setups, moonwalks.

But some of the omissions — or possible omissions — are just as telling. Critics and some of Jackson’s own family have pointed out:

The trailer and first looks also avoid any explicit mention of the 1993 and 2005 court cases, and far-reaching allegations revisited in Leaving Neverland.

According to Paris Jackson, the film has opted for a narrative that avoids the messy, the unflattering, and the legally perilous.

So, while the film promises a sweeping portrait, it is an open question whether it truly tackles the darkest or most controversial parts of Jackson's life.

5. Why this biopic matters now

Why does a film about Michael Jackson matter so much, even in 2025/26? A few reasons:

a) Kulturalno nasledie

Jackson remains one of the most influential entertainers in history. His music, dance moves, fashion statements, and humanitarian efforts helped shape global pop culture. Revisiting his story offers a reminder to new generations about the impact he had.

b) Re-examination of icons

In recent years, the audience has more critically interrogated the lives of cultural icons. What it means to look up to someone, what we tolerate in the name of talent, and how we reconcile brilliance with personal flaws are active conversations. A Jackson biopic now lives in that climate.

c) Musical biopics’ appeal Films such as Bohemian Rhapsody proved there was a big commercial appetite for movies about musicians. Studios want that. Michael can tap into that built-in audience of the Jackson fans, and beyond. Producer Graham King's involvement suggests exactly that. d) Timing and marketing The release of the trailer signals that the studio is now launching the full marketing machine on a film due out on April 24, 2026-so roughly five months out. Given the delays, the trailer represents a way to re-ignite the buzz. 6. What to watch for when the film releases Here is a selection of key questions and some possible indicators of note: How balanced is the portrayal? Does the film just celebrate Jackson, or does it dig into his personal struggles and controversies with nuance? Will the allegations be addressed? Even subtly? Without this aspect, or if treated lightly, it could be criticized for being selective in storytelling. Performance and authenticity: How is Jaafar Jackson's performance? Are the staging, dance, music sequences carried out effectively? Structure and tone: Is the film just a concert-movie or a straight drama? Do we see Jackson's inner life and fallibility? Fan versus critic reception: Jackson's fans are a passionate demographic. Will they feel the film honours his legacy? Will critics feel it is honest? Box office and awards potential: A high budget-in the region of $155 million-and large-scale production means commercial and critical performance will impact how studios consider similar projects. 7. Conclusion: A high-risk gamble on an iconic life Michael is more than just "another celebrity biopic"; this is the story of one of the most celebrated-and contested-figures in modern pop culture. With this first trailer, a powerful visual and emotional hook comes across: the rise, the spectacle, and the human being behind it. It's all underlined by a question mark, though: Will the movie embrace the full complexity of Michael Jackson's life? Will it face the storms or stay safely on the high notes? There's evident fan excitement: the choreography, the songs, the look and feel of Jackson's world on the big screen. There's guarded hope on the part of critics and more skeptical viewers that the film won't drift into hagiography. And there's the evident concern on the part of Jackson's family-especially those not involved-that the narrative may be controlled, inconvenient truths left out or soft-pedaled. In short, the trailer has opened the doors, but the real test comes when audiences finally sit down in the cinema on April 24, 2026. Until then, we watch, we hope, we wonder.