Michael Jackson Movie Releases Surprise First Footage

The Michael Jackson movie has released its first footage, and not everyone is happy with it.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the trailer for Michael was screened exclusively for audiences behind-closed-doors at CinemaCon.

It showed the iconic entertainer, played by Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, performing Man in the Mirror, walking a red carpet, and wearing his signature outfit from the Thriller video. The film features over 30 Michael Jackson songs in total, and recreates several live performances.

There are also bits featuring a younger Michael with his mother, and performing with the Jackson 5 at six years old - Juliano Krue Valdi plays the younger version.

Michael also highlights the singer's struggles with his introverted nature. Through narration he says, "When I’m not on stage, everything feels foreign to me." In one interaction, Michael's mother tells him, "There might be some people who think you’re different, and that’s gonna make life a little harder for you."

However, judging from the trailer, the film doesn’t look likely to explore one major facet of Michael’s life - his allegations of child sexual abuse. With his family repeatedly denying those allegations, and being heavily involved in the film’s development, it seems Michael is steering clear of that chapter in the superstar’s life

The film also features Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller, and releases in theaters April 18, 2025.

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