Jaafar Jackson is the King of Pop in the just-released new trailer for Michael, helmed by Training Day filmmaker Antoine Fuqua.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long lead the extended cast, taking on the roles of Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson, respectively. The new trailer, available in full above, gives fans the closest look yet at what they’re bringing to their performances.
The long-teased film, set for a U.S. theatrical release on April 24, is billed as “the cinematic portrayal” of Michael Jackson’s “life and legacy.” While Jaafar, Jackson’s nephew, is the star of the Fuqua-directed biopic, his portrayal of the late icon is complemented by a performance from Juliano Valdi as a younger, Jackson 5-era MJ.
“Let me tell you something. In this life, you’re either a winner or you’re a loser,” Domingo, playing Michael’s father, tells the Jackson children early into the newly released two-minute trailer. “Y’all wanna work in a steel mill like me for the rest of your days? Because I sure as hell don’t. Y’all willing to fight for it?”
From there, MJ’s own ambitions to become the biggest star the world has ever seen are made clear. Along the way, we’re given glimpses of the film’s depiction of Bubbles, Micheal’s chimpanzee companion who these days resides in a sanctuary, plus treated to the sounds of a movie trailer-ified version of the 1983 Thriller hit “Billie Jean.”
Get a closer look at key Micheal moments below. Laura Harrier and Miles Teller round out the cast.
It should go without saying that anticipation for Michael is high. While we have certainly seen some outright clunkers in the musician biopic space in the past, recent genre entries like A Complete Unknown and Deliver Me From Nowhere arguably stand as shining examples of what’s possible when these types of stories are handled deftly.
We’ll find out whether Michael reaches similar artistic heights soon enough.
