Legacy, Family, and Fame: Inside the First Trailer for Michael

Michael dives into the superstar’s rise as an icon and is scheduled to hit Philippine cinemas on April 22

Get ready to moonwalk back in time. The first official trailer for Michael, the highly anticipated biopic about the King of Pop, dropped Monday (U.S. time), offering a first look at how one of music’s most complex legends will be reintroduced to a new generation.

Starring Jaafar Jackson — son of Jermaine Jackson and Michael Jackson’s nephew — the film traces the rise, brilliance, and burdens of a global icon. Michael is scheduled to hit Philippine cinemas on April 22.

The rise of an icon

The trailer opens in full spectacle: Michael onstage, commanding a crowd with his signature moves as a narrator declares him “the greatest of all time.” From there, the story rewinds to the Jackson family’s early days, with Joe Jackson lecturing his sons — including a young Michael — about discipline, ambition, and the possibilities ahead.

As the Jackson 5 rose to fame, the film hints at both opportunity and pressure, showing how talent, family, and expectation became deeply intertwined. Viewers also get glimpses of Michael’s pivotal relationship with Quincy Jones, the legendary producer who would help shape some of the most iconic music in pop history.

But fame comes at a cost. The trailer doesn’t shy away from the tension between Michael and his family as his popularity grows into a global brand — one that others capitalize on, sometimes at the expense of his independence.

“I love my family, but I just want to do my own thing,” Michael says in one scene, confiding in his friend Bill, who encourages him to carve his own path.

The clip also revisits familiar moments from Michael’s life and art, including recreations of “Thriller,” the moon walk, and the accident that would permanently alter his appearance.

Mixed reactions within the family

Since the biopic was first announced, reactions from Michael Jackson’s family have been divided.

His daughter, Paris Jackson, publicly distanced herself from the film after reports surfaced in 2025 suggesting she was involved in its production.

“Don’t be telling people I was ‘helpful’ on the set of a movie I had zero per cent involvement in lol that is so weird,” she wrote on Instagram Stories at the time.

She later added that while she chose not to comment early on, she understood why some fans would embrace the film.

“They’re going to make whatever they’re going to make,” she said, noting that parts of the movie cater to a segment of her father’s fandom that prefers a more idealized version of his story.

In contrast, Michael’s older brothers — Jermaine, Tito, and Marlon — expressed strong support for Jaafar’s casting when filming was about to begin in 2024.

“Jaafar wasn’t imitating Michael. He became Michael. That’s the difference,” Marlon said.

Jermaine recalled seeing his son perform as his brother for the first time.

“Our tears came down, and we all started crying. We thought we were looking at him. We couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“He was so close,” Tito added.

Photo from michaelmovie

Michael Jackson’s legacy

Michael Jackson rose to fame as part of the Jackson 5 before launching a solo career that would redefine pop music. His albums, tours, and music videos set records — and standards — that still influence artists today.

Alongside his success, Michael’s life was marked by controversy, from speculation about his changing appearance to intense scrutiny of his personal relationships.

He married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, in 1994; they divorced in 1996. He later married Debbie Rowe, with whom he had two children, Prince and Paris, before divorcing in 2000. Michael also had a third son, Prince Michael, now known as Bigi.

Michael Jackson died in 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest.

Photo from michaelmovie

Why this movie matters — especially for families

Biopics about Michael Jackson are nothing new, but Michael arrives at a moment when conversations about legacy, accountability, and storytelling feel more important than ever.

For parents, the film offers a nostalgic return to the music that defined their youth. For kids, it’s a front-row introduction to an artist whose influence still shapes today’s pop culture. And for families watching together, it opens up space for conversations — about talent and pressure, family dynamics, and how complicated stories are remembered and retold across generations.

More than just a music biopic, Michael asks a modern question: how do we pass down the stories of icons who were, above all else, human?

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