An "intense" first look at the Michael Jackson biopic was shown today at CinemaCon.
Prior to the debut, which received a warm reception from theater owners, producer Graham King introduced the film, saying that it will be "long" to cover Jackson's storied career and will feature 30 of his greatest hits.
Teasing the film as a "thrill that [audiences] have never seen before, Deadline reports that King went on to say that "it is a story worthy of a cinematic presentation" and will offer "an inside look into the most prolific artist who ever lived."
The Antoine Fuqua-directed feature is said to be telling "the untold version of the story," addressing the many controversies Jackson faced. Earlier reports have revealed that the film will be an "unbiased" look into the pop superstar's life. Michael is set to address the multiple allegations that Jackson had groomed prepubescent boys into a sexual relationship, Variety reports.
"Michael Jackson was an enigma, full of eccentricities and ... talent," King continued. "[He was] simply a man who lived a very complicated life. The movie will get into all of it including over 30 songs spanning his career ... His life on stage and his life out of the public eye."
Jackson's real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, plays him in the film and is seen performing on stage throughout the trailer.
The footage started out with visuals of screaming fans before Jackson's mother tells him that "there might be some people who think you're different and that's going to make life a little harder for you, but you never were like anyone else".
The emotional trailer also features a grown-up Jackson saying: "It transports your entire being, that's what I want the world to feel like - magic." Footage of the Jackson 5 performing and the "Thriller" singer being mobbed by fans in a limo is also evident.
The footage reportedly shows moments from Jackson's Off the Wall era, as well as the Bad era. The song "Man in the Mirror" is heard being sung throughout.
Slated to be released on April 18, 2025, the movie also stars The Color Purple and Euphoria star Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller as Jackson's manager, John Branca. The film is halfway through filming, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
CinemaCon is a closed event, meaning that the footage will most likely not appear online for quite some time. However, attendees took to X to share that they found the first look to be favorable.
"They knew what they was doing putting that MICHAEL trailer last. What a way to close out! Jaafar Jackson looks just like MJ, and the dramatic rendition of "Man in the Mirror" had mofos jamming. I'm too hyped for this one," one user delcared.
"Gotta say that I'm impressed with the MICHAEL footage. Jaafar sounds just like MJ and the costuming is on point. But I really gotta applaud Antoine Fuqua for being able to capture MJ's chaotic lifestyle and fame purely through visual storytelling," another attendee disclosed on X.
