Miles Teller Addresses Viral Michael Jackson Biopic Transformation

Miles Teller has addressed the viral photos of his transformation before the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. The Whiplash actor will play Jackson’s manager, John Branca, in the highly anticipated film directed by Antoine Fuqua, which will explore the life, fame, and legacy of the late King of Pop.

Backed by Lionsgate and produced in collaboration with the Jackson estate, Michael has already generated major buzz after its trailer release and casting choices. The Michael cast stars Jackson’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the titular role, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Kat Graham as Diana Ross, among others.

In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley while promoting his upcoming A24 film, Eternity, Teller addressed the online chatter head-on, saying, “It’s just a wig. I’m like, not online too much, but some people were telling me.” The actor went on to tease the film, revealing the intense attention to detail that went into hair and makeup for the biopic and praising Jaafar Jackson’s performance, saying, “people are going to freak out.” Read Teller’s full comments below:

We did some stuff. Honestly, that hair and makeup team, the attention to detail, obviously the Michael estate is heavily involved. Jafaar, his nephew who is playing Michael, people are going to freak out. He put so much… He had so much natural Michael Jackson DNA in him, but the time he put in, like several years before cameras started rolling. So yeah, I’m excited.

Michael has been in development for years, with the director describing it as both a celebration and an incisive examination of Michael Jackson’s life and legacy. The film will reportedly trace his life from his early days in the Jackson 5 through his remarkable rise to global fame and the controversies that followed.

While the film was slated for an October 2025 release, production on Michael was pushed back after legal complications and the need to overhaul the original third act, leading to reshoots. A report from April also revealed that the movie might be split into two. For now, Michael is set to release on April 24th, 2026.

If the teaser trailer and early reactions are any indication, Michael could be one of the most celebrated musical biopics in recent memory. With the involvement of the Jackson estate and a cast that mixes family legacy with powerhouse performances, Fuqua’s film has the potential to honor and properly reexamine the complex life of such an iconic figure in pop culture.

Teller’s comments also reflect the growing anticipation surrounding Jaafar Jackson’s performance, which has already captured public attention due to his physical transformation, once again, thanks to the hair and makeup team. As Michael nears the end of production and release, the film’s mix of meticulous and emotional storytelling, and star power positions it as a major cinematic event for 2026.