Colman Domingo has undergone a striking transformation to portray Joe Jackson in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic. The film provides a glimpse into the complex relationship between the King of Pop and his father, exploring how Joe’s influence shaped Michael’s rise to fame. The new trailer, released on February 2, highlights this intense dynamic as Michael Jackson’s early career is depicted with an emphasis on family pressure and ambition.
A Glimpse of Joe Jackson’s Ambition for His Children
In the trailer, Joe Jackson, played by Domingo, delivers a pointed message to his children about hard work and success.
“In this life, you’re either a winner or you’re a loser. Y’all want to work in the steel mill like me for the rest of your days because I sure as hell don’t. Y’all willing to fight for it?”
Joe’s tough stance reflects his relentless drive to push his children toward stardom. Although Joe, who passed away at age 89 in June 2018, prioritized the Jackson 5 as a family brand, it was Michael who emerged as the standout musical talent.
The Jackson Family’s Strategic Pursuit of Fame
Joe Jackson’s focus on the family’s success is clear in lines from the film:
“We need to capitalize on Michael’s success, because the Jackson family is the brand,”
he asserts.
“That’s our Coca-Cola. I’m planning an international tour. This is just the beginning.”
These words embody Joe’s vision of elevating the family’s legacy. At the same time, the film shows Michael wrestling with the very pressures that came with this intense family ambition.
Insight into Michael Jackson’s Inner Struggles
Michael Jackson, portrayed by Jaafar Jackson — Michael’s nephew making his film debut — offers a rare look into the star’s personal mindset. In the trailer, Michael affirms himself:
“You are confident. You are strong. You are beautiful. You’re the greatest of all time.”
Despite this positive self-talk, the movie reveals Michael’s deeper conflict with the demands of his career and family expectations.
“I love my family, but I just want to do my own thing,”
he says, adding,
“I just have all of these ideas in my head. I just got to get them out. I believe music can change the world. Spread love, joy and peace. That is what I want the world to feel.”
Family Perspectives on the Biopic’s Portrayal
Though the film has garnered much anticipation, some of Michael’s closest relatives have expressed reservations. After Domingo mentioned Paris Jackson’s involvement, Michael’s daughter refuted these claims in a September 2025 Instagram Story:
“@Kingofbingo don’t be telling people I was helpful on the set of a movie I had 0% involvement in lol that is so weird,”
she wrote.
“I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my thoughts on what was dishonest/didn’t sit right with me and when they didn’t address it, I moved on with my life. Not my monkeys not my circus. God bless and god speed.”
Colman Domingo’s Approach to Telling Michael’s Story
Domingo has emphasized that the biopic aims to humanize Michael Jackson beyond the public persona. In a 2024 interview with Andy Cohen, he explained,
“I think the whole point of this biopic is to really humanize Michael and really show the making of Michael and who he is, and so it deals with a lot of things. A lot of things that may even be controversial, you know what I mean? So, it deals with it, and it’s got the family love and support, but they didn’t get in the way of really telling a compelling story. We really show how this family built themselves, how they relate to each other and to the world and what the world has also created.”
Michael Jackson Biopic Release and Anticipation
The film is scheduled to premiere in theaters and IMAX on April 24, 2026, promising an intimate look at Michael Jackson’s journey to global superstardom following the breakthrough success of his Thriller album. With Jaafar Jackson stepping into the role of his uncle Michael, the movie seeks to capture both the triumph and turmoil behind the music icon’s rise.
