Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Confirmed: Michael Jackson Movie Will Be a Celebration of His Heyday, Not a Courtroom Drama or Downer

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EXCLUSIVE

As I told you last night, the Michael Jackson movie, “Michael,” will be a celebration of the King of Pop’s life.

There won’t be any courtroom drama. No discussion of arrests, accusations, lawsuits, etc.

Michael’s death will not be included.

“Michael,” like the “MJ” musical, will tell the story of the Jacksons growing up, forming the Jackson Five, and the success of the group as kids.

Then we’ll get the story of how Michael triumphed with “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.” The movie is going to end on a high note and not sully Michael’s memory.

This makes sense. The audience is not going to see a documentary. This is a musical entertainment. We’re going to find out what his childhood was like, and how the great hits were composed and performed.

That’s a relief. Again, we want to be entertained. Michael’s fans are going to love this movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in what could be a star making role. John Logan — who has incredible credits — wrote the screenplay.

I’m told “Michael” will also have a normal run time of two to two and a half hours. The final cut hasn’t been delivered yet.

So we wait until April 24, 2026. My guess is audiences will be dancing down the aisles.

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009, where he covered Michael Jackson, and previously wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine in the mid-1990s, where he covered the O.J. Simpson trial. He also edited Fame magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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