The first U.S. reactions to the Michael Jackson biopic are in, following Monday night's star-studded Los Angeles premiere of the Lionsgate film simply titled Michael.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film traces Jackson's life from his early days performing with his brothers in the Jackson 5 through his rise as a solo artist. The Hollywood Reporter noted the film already had its world premiere in Berlin on April 10, but American press reaction had been limited until now. Full critical reviews are set to publish April 22.
Jaafar Jackson, the late singer's nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson, plays the adult Michael. Colman Domingo takes on the role of father Joe Jackson, Nia Long plays mother Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller portrays entertainment lawyer and manager John Branca. Kendrick Sampson plays producer Quincy Jones, and Larenz Tate plays Motown chief Berry Gordy. Janet Jackson does not appear in the film.
The project carries notable commercial expectations. It was produced by Graham King, whose previous biopic Bohemian Rhapsody earned four Academy Awards and grossed $911 million globally. Michael also holds the rights to use Jackson's music catalog, a significant advantage for a film covering one of the most commercially successful careers in pop history.
Whether the film addresses the more controversial chapters of Jackson's life has been a subject of ongoing speculation, and audiences will get their first clear picture when it opens in theaters April 24.
