Colman Domingo recently defended the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, saying: “everyone has a story to tell.”
The film, which is called Michael and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua for Lionsgate, was originally set for an April 2025 release in the United States. However recently, Deadline confirmed that it had been pushed back in order to position the film “in the awards corridor”.
The film now has an October 3rd, 2025 release date in the United States, with global premiere dates yet to be announced. Michael is due to be distributed globally by Universal Pictures.
There has been limited information about the film has been made public. Its first trailer was revealed to critics at CinemaCon in April and was reportedly well received, but has yet to be released to the public.
Domingo will appear in the film as Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson, who Michael accused of physical and emotional abuse.
The film – which will tell the story of the life and career of Michael – will star Michael’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson in the lead role. Other actors attached to the film include Miles Teller as manager John Branca.
In a new interview with Variety, Domingo says the film will look at the “complex human being” behind Jackson, adding that: “I believe everyone has a story to tell” in response to a question about a possible backlash to the film.
The film has already attracted some criticism, including from Dan Reed – the director of the documentary Leaving Neverland – which documented allegations of sexual abuse against Michael. He recently criticized the making of the new biopic, saying it “will glorify a man who r**ed children”.
Ahead of the premiere of Leaving Neverland, The Jackson Estate issued a statement in which they called it “another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson”. Jackson himself denied any allegations regarding the abuse of underage boys.
