Colman Domingo defends Michael Jackson biopic: “Everyone has a story to tell”

Colman Domingo has defended the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, saying: “everyone has a story to tell.”

The film, which is called Michael and will be directed by Antoine Fuqua for Lionsgate, was originally set for an April 2025 release in the United States. However recently, Deadline confirmed that it had been pushed back in order to position the film “in the awards corridor”.

The film now has an October 3, 2025 release date in the United States, with global premiere dates yet to be announced. Michael is due to be distributed globally by Universal Pictures.

So far, limited information about the film has been made public. Its first trailer was revealed to critics at CinemaCon in April and was reportedly well received, but has yet to be released to the public.

Domingo will appear in the film as Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson, who Michael accused of physical and emotional abuse.

The film – which will tell the story of the life and career of Michael – will star Michael’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson in the lead role. Other actors attached to the film include Miles Teller as manager John Branca.

In a new interview with Variety, Domingo says the film will look at the “complex human being” behind Jackson, adding that: “I believe everyone has a story to tell” in response to a question about a possible backlash to the film.

The film has already attracted some criticism, including from Dan Reed – the director of the documentary Leaving Neverland – which documented allegations of sexual abuse against Michael. He recently criticised the making of the new biopic, saying it “will glorify a man who raped children”.

Ahead of the premiere of Leaving Neverland, The Jackson Estate issued a statement in which they called it “another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson”. Jackson himself denied any allegations regarding the abuse of underage boys.

Domingo went on to tell the outlet that he’s used to polarising responses from audience having come from a theatre background.

He explained: “I come from the theatre, and my job has always been to let the audience feel what it needs to feel…But my job was not to be liked. My job was to tell the story,” he added about criticism he once received. “It wasn’t about approval. And I’ve taken that to my film and television work.”

“When I backhanded Fantasia in a film,” Domingo continued, referring to his role in The Color Purple as an abusive husband, “some people would say, ‘I’m gonna feel some kind of way about him.’ That’s OK. You should have a strong feeling about it, but hopefully it’s not about me as a person. When I played Victor Strand on Fear the Walking Dead, people hated me on Twitter. Sometimes I would correct them: ‘You hate Victor Strand, which is fine. You don’t hate me.’ Because I don’t like that energy coming at me.”

Meanwhile, producer of the biopic Graham King confirmed in April this year that the project was at the midway point of production. “We are incredibly proud of this movie. I’m looking forward to giving to the audience a film like they’ve never seen before,” King said at the time.

He also shared: “When you mention his name, everyone has an opinion. For the first time… generations of moviegoers will come together to experience an inside look at the most prolific artist who ever lived.”