HOLLYWOOD — Few entertainers shaped global culture like Michael Jackson. This week, Hollywood reminded the world that even years after his death, Jackson’s name still commands unmatched attention.
Hollywood Turns Out for the King of Pop
Lionsgate’s U.S. premiere of Michael transformed Hollywood Boulevard into a full-scale celebration of the King of Pop’s legacy. More than 3,300 guests filled the Dolby Theatre, while another 900 attended at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
A black glitter carpet, celebrity arrivals, live activations, and crowds of fans created one of the most talked-about premieres of the year. “The only way to celebrate Michael’s legacy and Jackson’s legacy is to do it in the center of Hollywood,” Colman Domingo said on the carpet.
Antoine Fuqua on Why the Film Matters
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, opens nationwide Friday, April 24 through Lionsgate, with early access screenings set for April 22 in IMAX and Dolby formats. It stars Jaafar Jackson, Jackson’s nephew, making his feature film debut as Michael.
Fuqua said the project came unexpectedly when producer Graham King called him about directing it. “I wasn’t thinking about directing a Michael movie,” Fuqua said. “But Michael’s legacy is important to keep alive. Having a great artist like that, who’s given us so much, we should try to learn a little bit more about it, and this is an opportunity to do that.”
‘Michael’: Cast, Family, and Celebrity Support
Also attending the premiere were cast members Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Larenz Tate, and Deon Cole, alongside members of the Jackson family, including Katherine Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Jackie Jackson, La Toya Jackson, and Marlon Jackson.
Domingo said portraying Joe Jackson gave him the chance to bring complexity and humanity to a man many people do not view with nuance. He said he wanted audiences to examine Joe Jackson from his humble Southern roots and steel mill work to becoming a father who recognized his children’s talent and pushed them toward greatness.
The guest list reflected Jackson’s multigenerational influence. Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Usher, SZA, Chance the Rapper, Magic Johnson, Martin Lawrence, Niecy Nash, and Kai Cenat were among those in attendance.
Jaafar Jackson on Carrying the Legacy
Following the screening, Lionsgate said guests danced, sang, and cheered through the end credits as Michael Jackson’s music played. The crowd then gave the cast and filmmakers a standing ovation.
Earlier on the carpet, Jaafar Jackson described the moment as emotional and surreal. “It’s been emotional. It’s surreal. I keep saying it’s surreal, because it really is everything I wanted it to be and more,” Jackson said. He added that portraying his uncle carried a “big, big responsibility,” requiring him to study every detail, from the performances and subtle nuances to the off-camera moments that made Michael unique. “That’s the way Michael would want you to see it, so you can feel that magic,” he said.
Jaafar Jackson closed the night with an emotional tribute: “Most importantly, I just hope that my uncle, Michael, is smiling from up above.”
On Legacy, Culture, and Critics of Michael
For Black audiences, the film arrives with layered meaning. Michael Jackson was more than a pop star. He was a Black cultural force who broke racial barriers on MTV, redefined music videos as cinematic art, and became one of the first Black artists with truly global fame.
Yet the movie also enters theaters under scrutiny. Critics continue to ask whether the film fully grapples with the controversies that shadowed Jackson’s later years.
That tension may shape the film’s reception. But after this week’s premiere, one truth is undeniable: decades after his peak, Michael Jackson still has the world watching.
