Michael (2025 film)

Last updated

Michael
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Written by John Logan
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Dion Beebe
Production
company
Distributed by
Release date
  • April 18, 2025 (2025-04-18)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$155 million [1]

Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, based on the life of the American singer and dancer Michael Jackson. It stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut, alongside Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, Jessica Sula, Liv Symone, Kevin Shinick, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Kendrick Sampson and Derek Luke.

Contents

Michael is scheduled for release in the United States on April 18, 2025, by Lionsgate, and by Universal Pictures internationally.

Premise

The film follows the life and career of Michael Jackson. [2]

Cast

Production

Pre-production

In November 2019, it was announced that Graham King had secured the rights to produce a film about Michael Jackson, with John Logan set to write the screenplay. [3] In February 2022, Lionsgate acquired the distribution rights. [2] Casting began in June, with Kimberly Hardin as the casting director. Production was expected to start in 2023. [4] In January 2023, Antoine Fuqua was announced as the director, [5] and Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson was announced to play Jackson. [6] In January 2024, the newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi was cast as a young Michael, [7] as well as Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, [8] and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. [9] Also that month, Miles Teller was reported to be in talks to play one of Jackson's attorneys. [10] In February, Teller was confirmed to play John Branca. [11] The cast for the rest of the Jackson 5 were announced later that month, [12] with Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, Jessica Sula, Liv Symone, Kevin Shinick, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and Kendrick Sampson being added to portray Suzanne de Passe, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, La Toya Jackson, Gladys Knight, Dick Clark, Bill Bray, and Quincy Jones in March. [13] [14] In April 2024, Derek Luke was added to the cast as Johnnie Cochran. [15] The screenplay includes content regarding child sexual abuse accusations against Jackson, with King saying that he wanted to "humanize but not sanitize and present the most compelling, unbiased story". [1]

Filming

Principal photography was scheduled to begin in mid-2023 over 80 days in Santa Barbara and was projected to spend $120 million on crew wages and vendors, according to the California Film Commission. [16] Filming was delayed in September 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [17] Filming eventually began on January 22, 2024, [18] with Dion Beebe serving as the cinematographer. Barbara Ling serves as the production designer, and Marci Rodgers as the costume designer. [19]

Release

Michael will be distributed by Lionsgate in the United States on April 18, 2025, [18] and by Universal Pictures internationally, except for the United Kingdom and Japan. [20] A surprise first look was shown to theatre owners at CinemaCon on April 10, 2024, to positive reception. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Fuqua</span> American film director

Antoine Fuqua is an American film director known for his work in the action and thriller genres. He was originally known as a director of music videos, and made his film debut in 1998 with The Replacement Killers. His critical breakthrough was the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roadside Attractions</span> Film production company

Roadside Attractions, LLC is an American production company and film distributor based in Los Angeles, California, founded on July 27, 2000, by Howard Cohen and Eric d'Arbeloff, specializing largely in independent films. Lionsgate bought a portion of Roadside in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colman Domingo</span> American actor, playwright and director(born 1969)

Colman Jason Domingo is an American actor, playwright and director of Belizean and Guatemalan descent. Prominent on both screen and stage, he has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, and nominations for an Academy Award and two Tony Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stage 6 Films</span> American film producer

Stage 6 Films, Inc. is an American film production label of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions that acquires and produces feature films that are low budget and that are being released direct-to-disc, on demand, or through streaming services. Some of their films are also being released theatrically. Once a film is finished, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions will decide if the film will be released theatrically or on a different platform.

Amblin Partners American entertainment company

Storyteller Distribution Co., LLC, doing business as Amblin Partners, LLC., is an American independent entertainment production company. It develops and produces films under the Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks Pictures banners, as well as television series through Amblin Television. The company's investment partners include Reliance Group's Reliance Entertainment, Lionsgate, Alibaba Group's Alibaba Pictures, and NBCUniversal/Comcast's Universal Pictures. Films produced by Amblin Partners are primarily distributed by Universal in North America and select international territories, and by third-party distributors through Mister Smith Entertainment in other countries.

<i>All Eyez on Me</i> (film) 2017 film by Benny Boom

All Eyez on Me is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Benny Boom. Titled after the 1996 studio album, as well as the song of the same name, it is based on the life and death of the titular American rapper Tupac Shakur. The film stars Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac, with Kat Graham, Lauren Cohan, Hill Harper, and Danai Gurira. Jamal Woolard reprises his role as Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace / The Notorious B.I.G. from Notorious (2009).

John Warhurst is a British music and sound supervisor. He won the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing for the film Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).

<i>Borderlands</i> (film) Upcoming film by Eli Roth

Borderlands is an upcoming American science fiction action comedy film directed by Eli Roth, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Crombie, based on the video game series of the same name developed by Gearbox Software. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramírez, Ariana Greenblatt, Bobby Lee, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

<i>Ferrari</i> (2023 film) American film by Michael Mann

Ferrari is a 2023 American biographical sports drama film directed by Michael Mann and written by Troy Kennedy Martin. Based on the 1991 biography Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races, the Machine by motorsport journalist Brock Yates, the film follows the personal and professional struggles of Enzo Ferrari, the Italian founder of the car manufacturer Ferrari, during the summer of 1957 as Scuderia Ferrari prepares to compete in the 1957 Mille Miglia. Adam Driver portrays the titular subject, and Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gadon, Gabriel Leone, Jack O'Connell, and Patrick Dempsey co-star.

<i>Rustin</i> (film) 2023 film by George C. Wolfe

Rustin is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by George C. Wolfe, from a screenplay by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black, and a story by Breece about the life of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin. Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's production company Higher Ground, the film stars Colman Domingo in the title role, alongside Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen, Gus Halper, CCH Pounder, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Johnny Ramey, Michael Potts, Jeffrey Wright, and Audra McDonald. It is based on the true story of Rustin, who helped Martin Luther King Jr. and others organize the 1963 March on Washington.

<i>Emancipation</i> (2022 film) 2022 film by Antoine Fuqua

Emancipation is a 2022 American historical action thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua and co-produced by Will Smith, who stars as a runaway slave headed for Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the 1860s, after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in secessionist Confederate states, surviving the swamps while being chased by slave catchers and their dogs. Ben Foster stars as a ruthless slave hunter and Charmaine Bingwa as an enslaved wife and mother.

<i>The Equalizer 3</i> 2023 film by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer 3 is a 2023 American vigilante action film directed by Antoine Fuqua. It is a sequel to The Equalizer 2 and the third and final installment of The Equalizer trilogy, based on the television series of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington, reprising his role as retired U.S. Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, with Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, and Remo Girone in supporting roles. In the film, McCall discovers that his new friends in a small town in South Italy are intimidated by Camorra members, where he sets out to save them from the threat.

<i>The Unbreakable Boy</i> 2025 American film

The Unbreakable Boy is an upcoming American drama film directed and written by Jon Gunn. It is based on the book The Unbreakable Boy: A Father's Fear, a Son's Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love, authored by Scott Michael LeRette and Suzy Flory, which is based on a true story. The film stars Zachary Levi in the lead role.

Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson is an American singer, dancer, and actor. He is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve, nephew of Michael and Janet Jackson.

References

  1. 1 2 Vary, Adam B. (March 13, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Team Touts 'Unbiased' Look at Pop Star; 'Leaving Neverland' Director Calls Script Draft 'Startlingly Disingenuous'". Variety . Archived from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  2. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 7, 2022). "Michael Jackson Biopic Michael From Producer Graham King & Scribe John Logan Lands At Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  3. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 22, 2019). "Michael Jackson's Life Getting Movie Treatment; The Aviator's Graham King & John Logan Reteam, And MJ Estate Aboard". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  4. ↑ Welch, Rebecca (June 15, 2022). "Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic, Michael, Is Casting for Its Star". Backstage . Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ Davis, Clayton (January 18, 2023). "Antoine Fuqua to Direct Michael Jackson Biopic for Lionsgate, Set to Begin Shooting This Year". Variety . Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (January 30, 2023). "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar to Star in Biopic Michael". Variety . Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Anthony, D'Alessandro (January 18, 2024). "Lionsgate Finds Young Michael Jackson in Juliano Krue Valdi for Antoine Fuqua's Michael". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  8. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (January 25, 2024). "Colman Domingo to Play Michael Jackson's Father in Biopic". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  9. ↑ Anthony, D'Alessandro (January 30, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Michael Sets Nia Long As Matriarch Katherine Jackson". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  10. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2024). "Miles Teller Circling Lionsgate & Universal Michael Jackson Biopic Michael". The Wrap . Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  11. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (February 6, 2024). "Miles Teller to Play Michael Jackson Attorney John Branca in Biopic". The Wrap . Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  12. ↑ Gajewski, Ryan (February 27, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Casts Its Jackson 5". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  13. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (March 6, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Laura Harrier as Pioneering Music Exec Suzanne de Passe (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  14. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (March 25, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy". Variety . Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ↑ Grobar, Matt (April 23, 2024). "Derek Luke To Play Johnnie Cochran In Lionsgate's 'Michael'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  16. ↑ Sakoui, Anousha (March 6, 2023). "Michael Jackson biopic to spend a record $120 million in California under state tax credit program". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Director Antoine Fuque says he is readying for Michael Jackson movie". Salamanca Press . September 12, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  18. 1 2 Jackson, Angelique (January 11, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Set for 2025 Release". Variety . Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  19. ↑ D'Alessasndro, Anthony (January 11, 2024). "Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson Biopic Gets Global Release Date Via Lionsgate & Universal". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  20. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 3, 2023). "Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic Michael To Be Released Internationally By Universal". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  21. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (April 10, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Trailer Electrifies CinemaCon With Moonwalking King of Pop, 'Thriller' Performance and More". Variety . Retrieved April 12, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.