The road to Michael (2026), the long-anticipated biopic about controversial superstar Michael Jackson, has been nearly as dramatic as the life of its subject. A combination of external pressures and mishaps—from the involvement of the Michael Jackson estate to legal restrictions that came into play only after production was complete—reshaped the film, leading to delays, expensive reshoots, and a completely rewritten third act. On top of that, intra-Jackson family turmoil may have added to the drama surrounding what was initially meant to be the definitive, “unflinching” portrait of the troubled icon.
Here’s a breakdown of the very fraught making of Michael.
November 2019: Graham King Secures Rights from the Jackson Estate
Graham King—the British producer behind Martin Scorsese films like The Aviator (2004) and The Departed (2006) as well as Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)—secured the rights from the Jackson estate to make a film about Michael Jackson with screenwriter John Logan attached. In one year, the producer moved from Queen to the King of Pop.
Vanity Fair reported that the deal was first revealed by Deadline, who noted at the time that the film was “not intended to be a sanitised rendering of Jackson’s life.” The publication declared: “The complexity of Jackson’s life is well known and will not be ignored in a film that will span his entire life.”
February 2022: Lionsgate Announces Distribution Plans
Lionsgate announced its plans to distribute King’s Michael Jackson biopic in February 2022. This came after years of development and marked a key milestone in bringing the project to theaters. The studio’s involvement signaled confidence in the film’s commercial potential despite growing concerns about its subject matter and production challenges.
Vanity Fair confirmed this timeline point as part of the biopic’s troubled journey to the screen.
January 2023: Antoine Fuqua Signs On as Director
Antoine Fuqua, the critically acclaimed director behind Training Day (2001), The Equalizer trilogy (2014-2023), and Emancipation (2022), signed on as director of Michael in January 2023. The original intention of the film, according to King and Fuqua, was to present a full, “unbiased” portrait of Michael Jackson—flaws and all—despite the heavy involvement of the Jackson estate, which is notorious for attempting to maintain Jackson’s image as clean as it can.
That potentially destabilizing conflict aside, a more pressing question emerged: Who would be tapped to play the controversial pop superstar?
Vanity Fair detailed Fuqua’s involvement and the creative vision he brought to the project early on.
January 30, 2023: Jaafar Jackson Cast as Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson has been found—and they didn’t have to look far to find him. On January 30, 2023, it was announced that Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, would portray the King of Pop in the biopic. The casting choice immediately drew attention due to the familial connection and raised questions about whether the film could maintain critical distance from its subject.
Alongside Jaafar, Colman Domingo and Nia Long were confirmed to star as Michael’s parents, and Miles Teller was cast as John Branca, Michael’s lawyer and co-executor of his estate, who plays a key role in the movie.
The Independent reported the casting news, noting that Jaafar Jackson’s casting was announced in February 2023 with Domingo, Long, and Teller joining shortly after.
February 2023: Family Fallouts and Creative Tensions Emerge
While some of the Jacksons and the co-executors of his multimillion-dollar estate have been on board—and calling the shots—since pre-production began in 2019, others haven’t been shy about voicing their criticism. This internal divide has contributed to what has been described as far from a family affair, despite the central casting choice.
The Independent highlighted that the film stars Jackson’s own nephew Jaafar in the title role, but emphasized that this has been far from a harmonious family project. Some family members have publicly questioned the film’s direction and the estate’s influence over its content.
The Independent confirmed the presence of family tensions during production, noting that not all Jackson relatives supported the biopic’s approach.
April 2026: Reshoots, Legal Issues, and Box Office Expectations
After almost seven years in production, the Michael Jackson biopic has finally arrived in cinemas—but the road to its release has been far from smooth. The film faced expensive reshoots, reluctant studios, and family holdouts throughout its development. Legal restrictions that emerged only after production was complete forced significant changes, including a completely rewritten third act.
Despite these challenges, The Recent York Times reported in April 2026 that the box office is expected to be huge, reflecting enduring global interest in Michael Jackson’s life and legacy.
The New York Times detailed the production issues surrounding Michael, including reshoots, studio reluctance, and family disagreements, while noting strong anticipated audience turnout.
The making of Michael has been marked by a series of high-profile challenges—from casting controversies and family disputes to legal hurdles and costly reshoots. Yet, as the film reaches audiences in 2026, it stands as a testament to the enduring fascination with one of music’s most complex and influential figures. Whether it will succeed in delivering the “unflinching” portrait its creators once promised remains to be seen, but its journey to the screen has already grow part of the Jackson story.
For ongoing updates on the film’s reception and box office performance, readers can follow coverage from major entertainment outlets including The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and The Independent.
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