Michael Jackson Biopic: Where Does it End in the Pop King’s Life?

Michael Jackson’s life is itself movie-worthy. Thus, the creation of a biopic seems almost inevitable. After several years in development and overcoming numerous production challenges – more on that later – “Michael” has finally hit the theaters. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for “Training Day,” the film is produced by Graham King, who also produced “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and stars Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew.

Partially produced by the Jackson family, “Michael” glorifies the artist, lightly touching upon his controversial issues (such as his skin condition and enigmatic personality) and focusing more on his numerous artistic achievements. The project received significant support from the pop king’s estate. “We had access to his entire music catalog and the rights to his concerts,” Graham King shared with AlloCiné.

The biopic, which runs for 128 minutes, starts in the late 1960s. At just 10 years old, Michael Jackson began performing with his brothers under the strict demands of their father, Joe Jackson, portrayed chillingly by Colman Domingo. The family band, the Jackson Five, catapults the singer into the spotlight and opens the doors to fame.

The film then follows his solo career, navigating through his numerous hits (“Wanna Be Startin’ Something,” “Billie Jean,” “Thriller…”), iconic live performances, and the tumultuous relationship with his father. The story extends to his legendary concert at Wembley Stadium in London during his global Bad tour in 1988. The film concludes at the end of this successful decade.

A Dedicated Actor

In the lead role, Jaafar Jackson makes his film debut and impresses. The actor underwent nearly military-style training with the original choreographers for over two years and even lived in his uncle’s house at Hayvenhurst in Los Angeles, as he revealed to AlloCiné:

“I grew up there for 15 years. Then I returned to use it as a rehearsal and training space, to immerse myself in his presence. I even practiced in the same room as my uncle Michael. It really helped me feel his energy. I knew from the start that this was more than just a role. I wanted, I knew it would be a spiritual journey as well. That’s why I chose this approach.”

Does the Film Address the Accusations?

The biopic “Michael” does not delve into the child molestation accusations that began in 1993 with a lawsuit from 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Initially, Antoine Fuqua’s first cut of the film, which ran over four hours, did cover the topic. However, it was ultimately removed due to unmet contractual obligations.

The lawsuit between Jordan Chandler and Michael Jackson was settled amicably with a 22 million dollar agreement, which stipulated that the alleged victim’s and his family’s names could not appear or be mentioned in any film or documentary.

Therefore, the third act of the biopic was completely rethought, allowing the team to sidestep the controversies surrounding the artist. Variety reported that an additional 22 days of filming were required to craft a new third act in June 2025, adding 10 to 15 million dollars to the film’s budget, which now stands at an estimated 200 million dollars.

Michael, now playing in theaters.