The King of Pop will soon be moonwalking onto the big screen in the controversial Michael Jackson biopic, the first teaser for which dropped Thursday and shows his nephew Jaafar Jackson taking on the late superstar’s complicated legacy.
The preview for Lionsgate’s “Michael” fits multiple nods to iconic pop culture moments in its roughly one-minute length.
Helmed by “Training Day” and “The Equalizer” director Antoine Fuqua, the film also stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Joe and Katherine Jackson, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, and Miles Teller as John Branca, entertainment lawyer and co-executor of The Michael Jackson Estate.
The clip begins with a young Michael recording in the studio, as “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” begins to play, before pivoting to a shot of a stadium and the artist walking backstage.
There’s a snippet of a young Jackson Five-era Michael (Juliano Krue Valdi), laughing with his family, before it cuts back to the 1984 Grammys, the night he took home a historic eight trophies. That was also when Jackson sported an equally memorable sequined blue suit and the now-notorious white glove.
The trailer also shows Jaafar’s take on the “Thriller” phenomenon as the beat of “Billie Jean” can be heard.
Produced by “Bohemian Rhapsody” Oscar winner Graham King, “Michael” was approved by the Jackson estate — which is co-producing through Branca and John McClain — and has been touted as “an in-depth portrayal of a complicated man who became the King of Pop. It will bring to life Jackson’s most iconic performances as it gives an informed insight into the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life.”
Lionsgate picked up the film in 2022, though its future came into question was alleged earlier this year to have violated a multimillion-dollar settlement with Jordan Chandler, who accused the pop star of child molestation in the 1990s.
The biopic is set to hit theaters on April 24.
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