Whiplash and Top Gun: Maverick’s Miles Teller has joined the cast of Michael, the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic being directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International have announced that Teller will play John Branca in Michael, which releases in 2025. Banca was an entertainment lawyer and manager who worked with Jackson for a large part of his career.
“Miles is a compelling screen presence, whom I’ve admired since watching him in Whiplash,” said Graham King, who is producing the movie. “He’s the perfect actor to capture John’s enigmatic persona. From our earliest development conversations, it was clear the emotional connection that John still has to Michael. He graciously allowed us to use him as a character in the film and I’m thrilled that it’s Miles who will portray a relationship that extended over 3 decades, through Michael’s greatest triumphs and most difficult days.”
Fuqua added, “Miles’ finely tuned skills as an actor are up to the challenge of playing a man who is being examined for the pivotal role he played in Michael Jackson’s life. He is the perfect actor to disappear into the role of John Branca.”
Who else stars in Michael?
Jaafar Jackson, who is the nephew of Michael Jackson, is playing the King of Pop in the movie. Juliano Krue Valdi is playing a younger version of Michael, while the cast also includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson.
“Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop,” the synopsis reads. “The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.”
John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, produce the movie alongside King.
Michael is currently filming and is expected to release on April 18, 2025.
