NEED TO KNOW
The first look at the Michael Jackson biopic — and the cast playing the real-life people from the legendary musician’s story — is finally here.
In November 2025, Lionsgate released the first trailer for Michael. Portraying the late pop singer will be Jackson’s own nephew Jaafar Jackson, who is the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson. The movie is set to hit theaters on April 24, 2026.
“It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life,” director Antoine Fuqua said in a January 2023 statement to Variety. “There was such a spiritual connection when I first met Jaafar, who has a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera.”
Jaafar will be joined by a handful of other stars for the upcoming film, including Colman Domingo and Miles Teller. Most recently, Lionsgate announced which actors will be playing the rest of the Jackson 5 singers, including Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie Jackson.
Here’s a look at the cast of Michael, side-by-side with the real-life people they portray.
Juliano Krue Valdi as Young Michael Jackson
Courtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
In January 2024, Lionsgate announced that Juliano Krue Valdi will portray a young Jackson, as the film covers his rise to fame with his brothers in the Jackson 5.
“If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived?” Fuqua said of Valdi’s casting. “We looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael’s spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano’s undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list.”
Michael will mark Valdi’s first feature film role following appearances on shows such as Bite Size Halloween and Face’s Music Party, per his IMDb.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
The late singer’s nephew Jaafar is set to play him in the new movie. He was selected for the role after a worldwide casting search was conducted, after which producer Graham King said, “It was clear that he is the only person to take on this role.”
King added that he was “blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael” and was “beyond thrilled that he has come on board to portray his uncle.”
Though Michael will mark his acting debut, Jaafar is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, according to Deadline, and previously appeared in a number of family-oriented projects over the years, including 2015’s The Jacksons: Next Generation and Tito’s 2021 music video “Love One Another.”
Judah Edwards and Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson
Courtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Judah Edwards, who previously appeared on Hulu’s Saint X, will play a young Tito in the film.
Meanwhile, The Michael Blackson Show actor Rhyan Hill will play Tito in his later years.
Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson
Courtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Broadway actor Jaylen Lyndon Hunter will play a young Marlon, a role he previously played on the first national tour of MJ: The Musical.
Tre Horton, who has an extensive history in theater and previously appeared on My Enemy Alpha, will play Marlon in his later years.
Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson
Courtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
David Makes Man star Nathaniel Logan McIntyre will play a younger Jackie.
Meanwhile The 4400 star Joseph David-Jones will play Jackie in his later years.
Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson
Courtesy Lionsgate; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Jayden Harville will make his film debut in Michael as he plays a younger version of Jermaine.
Taking on the role of Jermaine in his later years will be South Central Love star Jamal R. Henderson.
Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
Unique Nicole/Getty; Alain BENAINOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
Oscar-nominated Rustin actor Domingo is set to play Jackson family patriarch Joe. King said the actor “has such incredible range” and is “grateful to be working” with him on the project.
Domingo has an extensive acting résumé, having appeared in many notable Broadway shows, TV series and films over the years. He starred on HBO’s Euphoria, which earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, and the biographical drama Rustin, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
Slaven Vlasic/Getty; Dave Hogan/Getty
Playing the Jackson matriarch Katherine will be Nia Long, who called her character “an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family.”
“It was a huge responsibility to represent a woman who is iconic, who has carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, who is still with us gracefully,” Long told PEOPLE in June 2024. “And I am hoping that I delivered because one never knows. I just put in the work and tried to do my best. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Like Domingo, Long has had many notable acting roles to date. She first gained prominence for her roles in Boyz n the Hood and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and is well known for her other roles in Friday, The Best Man and Empire.
Miles Teller as John Branca
Paras Griffin/Getty; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis via Getty
Teller is set to play John Branca, who became Michael’s manager after Joe, and was instrumental in helping launch his early career as a solo artist — notably with the release of “Thriller.” Branca is also producing the biopic with John McClain as the co-executors of Jackson’s estate.
Teller first rose to fame with his role in the Divergent film trilogy, but gained critical acclaim for his role in Whiplash, which earned him various award nominations. Recently, he garnered worldwide success for his starring role in Top Gun: Maverick alongside Tom Cruise.
