‘Michael’ Director Antoine Fuqua: Making Michael Jackson Biopic Was “Spiritual Journey”

The late pop star's nephew Jaafar Jackson stars in the Lionsgate feature that hits theaters this spring. Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael.' Glen Wilson Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua is sharing his perspective about Lionsgate‘s forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic. Michael is set to hit theaters and Imax on April 24 after its release was delayed several times, most recently having been dated for the fall of 2025. Marking his feature debut is Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role as the pop music icon. Lionsgate is distributing the movie domestically, while Universal handles the global launch. “It’s a very spiritual journey, making a movie about someone like Michael,” Fuqua says in a video that Lionsgate released Monday. “Michael was a big influence on my career as a director, seeing how he refused to get put in a box as just a Black artist only.” Related Stories Next Big Thing How One Audition at 14 Helped Dove Cameron Land '56 Days' and When Fans Can Expect New Music Music Willie Colón, Trailblazing Salsa Musician, Dies at 75 Fuqua’s movie debuted its latest trailer earlier this month. Michael co-stars Colman Domingo as the singer’s father, Joe Jackson, and Nia Long as his mother, Katherine. Rounding out the cast are Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate and Derek Luke. Graham King, John Branca and John McClain produce the film that has a script from John Logan. “Michael’s whole life was giving to people this joy of his voice,” Fuqua continues in the video. “When I watched him on TV, he was always larger than life. For me as a filmmaker, it wasn’t a leap to see it in a cinematic way.” The Training Day director adds, “I don’t think you can understand Michael Jackson as a human being unless you went back and go on a bit of a journey. He was struggling between his love for his family and his love for his music.” Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in the biopic Michael. Kevin Mazur The Hollywood Reporter previously reported that Michael, initially intended to span the star’s life and have a lengthy run time, had pivoted and would instead end with Jackson leaving his family’s group The Jacksons after the release of his first solo album, 1979’s Off the Wall. According to sources, a second film remains in development that would focus on the rest of Jackson’s career and path prior to his 2009 death. Puck reported last year that Michael’s previously planned third act had to be retooled, due to it including a dramatization of an individual who accused Jackson of child sexual abuse. The accuser had a past settlement with the performer’s estate stipulating that he would never be dramatized. “Why I wanted to make it is Michael,” Fuqua said during a San Diego Comic-Con panel in 2024. “Michael was a big part of my life growing up, a big influence on my career, an incredible artist — but he was a human being, and we’re exploring that.” Read More About: Antoine Fuqua Colman Domingo Graham King lionsgate Michael Michael Jackson Miles Tellar music Nia Long THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up More from The Hollywood Reporter Heat Vision Filmmaker John Patton Ford Wanted ‘How to Make a Killing’ to Say More Than Just “Rich People Are Bad, Period”