In recent years, the rise of the biopic genre has been drastically increasing on the big screen, outlining the cultural impact of iconic figures and how they changed the game. Ranging from historical figures to musicians, it goes over the contents of their extraordinary lives, some ending beautifully and some burning in tragedy, yet their legacies live on through beautiful renditions of film dedicated in their honor. With that, a film is set to release in April 2026 to portray the sheer impact of Michael Joseph Jackson, undeniably among the most influential and greatest musicians to have ever lived.
Michael Joseph Jackson was a man who needed no introduction. He wasn’t just a celebrity, but something far greater. He was the dancing, acting, singing, moonwalking man of legends, dare it be said, something akin to a deity. Crowds wailed at his presence, and people fainted at the sight of him. He was a global phenomenon, dominating the industry for over four decades, dedicating his entire life to entertainment and the pursuit of something new when it came to the concept of music, pioneering a plethora of sounds and styles used today.
The excitement for this biopic is palpable. In just the first 24 hours, the trailer posted to YouTube racked up an impressive 116 million views, breaking records as the highest biopic trailer to do so. Being directed by Antoine Fuqua, this film has been stated to delve behind the curtains, less on the entertainer but more as the man Jackson grew into, from his early success as the Jackson 5 lead singer to the revolutionary king of pop.
The man cast to play Michael Jackson himself is no more than his own Nephew, Jafaar Jackson, the son of the Jackson 5 member Jermaine Jackson, Michael’s brother and a legendary musician in his own right. Jafaar Jackson grew up around Michael’s loved ones, meeting him at a young age before Michael’s death. Although Jafaar doesn’t have any credit roles, he grew up with the Jackson family’s legacy, training in music and dance classes, as well as spending over two years in acting classes, preparing for the role of his late great uncle.
Jafaar Jackson (29)
This biopic is expected to be a huge box office success, estimated to break a worldwide gross income of around a billion dollars, solidifying this as one of the greatest biopics ever released. Famous actors such as Colman Domingo (playing Michael’s father, Joe Jackson), Nia Long (as Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson), and Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca, Michael’s longtime entertainment attorney.)
Even posthumously, Michael Jackson continues to break records, paving paths and inspiring millions, truly being worthy of his fame and fortune. Hate or love him, he truly is the one and only king of pop.
As we patiently wait for this film, some notable biopics, which deal with turbulent and culturally impactful careers, similar to Michael’s, also include:
- Straight Outta Compton (2015) sheds light on the Culture shock of the gangster rap group N.W.A and the harsh conditions of Southside Compton in the 80s, predominantly on African American women and men.
- Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) outlines the history of British rock band Queen and Freddie Mercury’s rise to becoming a flamboyant frontman through self-acceptance and addiction battle.
- Green Book (2018) follows the friendship between black pianist, Donald Shirley, and Italian-American actor, Tony Lip, during the racial segregation faced in the southern United States in 1962.
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/nov/16/michael-jackson-comeback-legacy-abuse-allegations
