The Michael Jackson biopic sets box office records, and fans commend his nephew's portrayal of the King of Pop

Michael Jackson/Shutterstock

Michael Jackson's life story, Michael, is receiving remarkable reviews. According to USA Today, the film shattered the box office record for the biggest opening weekend for a musical biopic in history. The film has reportedly grossed $97 million domestically during its opening. Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, who has impressively captured the essence of his late uncle on screen, mirroring even the smallest mannerisms and the King of Pop's most iconic and challenging dance moves, such as the Moonwalk.

Michael's older brother, Jackie, expressed immense pride in his nephew’s performance. On the red carpet, he told Fox, “People try to emulate Michael…he became Michael.” Jackie, who performed alongside Michael with The Jackson 5 before Michael embarked on his solo career, became emotional at the movie's premiere, stating tearfully, “I couldn’t believe it, I got so emotional, because he became Michael on that screen, it brought tears to my eyes, he shared with ET.

The Jackson 5 (Marlon, Jackie, Michael, Randy, and Tito)

Jaafar described his experience of recreating Jackson's hit "Thriller" as surreal. He confirmed that they filmed the recreation on the original set, where the mini-movie was produced in the 1980s under the direction of John Landis. Jaafar said, “We were there from sunset to sunrise for two nights, all through the night shooting…on cement…I was also freezing. To be in that actual location and to see the zombies around…There were so many times I couldn’t believe I was recreating one of the most iconic—the most iconic video of all time! And to just be in the same space where Michael was, I had to really tell myself I’m really here…It’s incredible.”

(Director) Antoine Fuqua and Jaafar Jackson/photo/(Instagram@Iamlelarochon)

Thriller is regarded as the highest-selling album of all time, boasting over 30 to 34 million sales in the U.S. and over 100 million copies sold worldwide. It was also the first music video inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2009 for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically” significant. Its debut in 1983 established "Thriller" as the first music video classified as a short film. MJ won 13 Grammys during his career, eight of which he collected for Thriller.

Michael Jackson at the Grammys/photo/(Instagram@michaeljackson)

Jaafar took the role very seriously, moving back into the Jackson family’s former Havenhurst Compound in Encino, California, to immerse himself in the singer’s energy. He shared with ET that he has fond childhood memories of his uncle at that property, recalling how Michael would play board games and share snacks with his nieces and nephews during family days.

Jaafar trained for about two years before filming Michael. He revealed that Michael's former choreographers (Rich and Tone) helped him prepare for the role. The debut actor also received the approval of his grandmother, Katherine Jackson, as well as his uncles, who were former members of The Jackson 5, and other family members. Jaafar mentioned that his uncle's story couldn't be fully captured in just two hours, so fans should expect a second installment of the film.

Jaafaar as Michael/photo (Instagram@jaafarjackson

Michael's untimely death in 2009 was one of the most shocking moments in entertainment history. He had cultivated a global cult-like following that grew even more after his passing at age 50. This following has re-emerged in response to the new film.

After a successful career filled with numerous hits, MJ's legacy was almost overshadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct with children, which he always denied. (The film reportedly omits these allegations.) The director stated that legal intervention prevented him from keeping the scenes that addressed certain aspects of Jackson's life related to the allegations.

Michael/photo/(Instagram@michaeljackson)

According to MSN, The film originally included allegations of abuse against Michael Jackson as a framing device, but legal agreements from past settlements, notably with Jordan Chandler, prohibited any depiction of those events. This forced costly reshoots, reportedly costing $10–15 million, and a structural overhaul that removed major sections of the story.

The Jackson family is visibly divided over the biopic: Prince Jackson (Michael's son) served as executive producer and attended premieres with other relatives, while Paris (Michael's daughter) and Janet Jackson stayed away. LaToya Jackson confirmed Janet declined participation, and some siblings are absent from the film entirely. Director Antoine Fuqua stressed the importance of family involvement, but internal disagreements and absences underscore the lack of consensus on how Michael’s story should be told, according to MSN.

The Jackson Family at Michael's memorial (YouTube screenshot)

The King of Pop had filmed This Is It, a documentary showcasing the final moments of his career, intended to display his comeback concert in London. Tragically, he died from an accidental drug overdose while under the care of Dr. Conrad Murray.

Following his death, MJ's estate and family continued to combat the allegations of sexual misconduct. His global fan base has steadfastly maintained that the allegations against him were simply attempts to exploit his legacy for financial gain. As of now, his music catalog has reportedly grown to over 1.2 billion dollars.

A cast photo at the 'Michael' premier

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