The first official trailer has dropped for the highly‑anticipated biopic Michael, chronicling the life of pop legend Michael Jackson, and Irish fans now know when they’ll be able to see it. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on 24 April 2026, with the international rollout expected to include Ireland shortly thereafter.
At the centre of the film is Jaafar Jackson, Jackson’s real‑life nephew, making his feature‑film debut in the role of his famous uncle. The supporting cast features Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson (Michael’s father and early manager); Nia Long as Katherine Jackson (his mother); Miles Teller as John Branca, the music‑industry executive tied to Jackson’s later career; Kat Graham as Diana Ross; and Laura Harrier among others.
Behind the camera, the film is directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for heavy‑hitter action thrillers such as Training Day, and written by Oscar‑nominated screenwriter *John Logan. Producer Graham King, winner of an Academy Award for Bohemian Rhapsody, is also on board.
Here are some of the key bits of trivia already known about the film:
Filming wrapped its primary shoot in May 2024, with additional photography and reshoots reported in summer 2025.
The project has been subject to multiple delays. Originally scheduled for an April 2025 release, then shifted to October 2025 and now officially to April 2026.
At one point, the makers considered splitting the film into two parts because it reportedly ran to over three and a half hours.
The budget has been reported at around US$155 million.
The trailer offers glimpses of Jackson’s signature performance moments—his moonwalks, “Thriller”‑era choreography and stage presence—while also signifying the story will chart his rise from a child star in the Jackson 5 to one of the biggest solo entertainers the world has ever seen.
Some controversy has already emerged: while the Jackson estate has supported the production, Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson has publicly distanced herself, raising questions about narrative control.
Mark your diaries for spring 2026, and expect something more ambitious than a typical music‑bio‑pic. The level of talent, the scale and the delays suggest the filmmakers are aiming for an event release, not just a standard theatrical outing.
The challenge will be whether the film manages to balance Jackson’s enormous musical legacy with the controversies that have shadowed his life. Whether you’re a longtime Jackson fan or simply curious about the man behind the pop icon, Michael promises to be one of the major biopics of the decade.
