A Japanese dub of the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' opens at 225 theaters nationwide from October 30, with Mamoru Miyano voicing Michael and Akio Otsuka voicing Joseph. A sequel is in development at Lionsgate, targeted for late 2027 to the first half of 2028.
The throughline in coverage of Michael Jackson is the biopic 'Michael' and its long tail in Japan. The film opened at number one in Japan for the June 12-14, 2026 weekend and held the top spot for a third consecutive week through the June 26-28 rankings. Before that opening, a clip recreating the 1983 'Billie Jean' performance drew attention to Jaafar Jackson's two years of rehearsal and to a scene shot at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the venue where the original 'Motown 25' special was recorded. Director Antoine Fuqua said the team felt a responsibility to recreate the moment accurately.
Japan has since become the film's most documented market. A Japanese dub arrives October 30 at 225 theaters, with Mamoru Miyano as Michael and Akio Otsuka as Joseph. By that point the film had drawn over 5.56 million admissions and 8.7 billion yen in Japan. A separate theatrical run from August 28 to September 17 paired the feature with the 1983 'Beat It' short film at 390 theaters, timed to Jackson's August 29 birthday.
Producer Graham King said the team discussed recreating Disneyland's 'Captain EO' attraction for the film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and executive produced by George Lucas, but cut it over time constraints and rights issues. Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson said the sequel could start filming by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with previously shot musical sequences likely to be incorporated. Away from the film, a second series of BAD World Tour trading cards went on sale at PGS for 28,000 yen after the Premiere Collection sold out in May 2026.
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A Japanese dub of Michael, the biographical film about Michael Jackson, opens at 225 theaters nationwide from October 30. Mamoru Miyano voices Michael (Jaafar Jackson) and Akio Otsuka voices Joseph (Colman Domingo). Wendarland Asada George plays young Michael and Kyoko Sakai plays Katherine. A trailer is out. In Japan the film has drawn over 5.56 million admissions and 8.7 billion yen.
To mark Michael Jackson's August 29 birthday, the short film for 'Beat It' will screen in theaters for the first time. It plays after the main feature 'Michael' at 390 theaters nationwide, from August 28 to September 17. The 1983 short film carries a non-violent message about walking away from conflict.
Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson said the sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' could start filming by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The studio targets a release between late 2027 and the first half of 2028. Previously shot musical sequences are likely to be incorporated.
The second series of Michael Jackson's world-limited official trading cards, 'MICHAEL JACKSON - Bad World Tour | Holo Breaker Box (2 packs),' is now on sale at the entertainment goods store PGS. Following the sold-out Premiere Collection from May 2026, the set features live scenes from the 1987-1988 BAD World Tour with hologram specs, VIP pass design cards, and relic cards. The breaker box guarantees at least two hit cards and is priced at 28,000 yen.
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' held the number one spot at the Japanese box office for the third consecutive week, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha's June 26-28 rankings. Three new films entered the top five: 'Supergirl' at second, a new 'Keroro Gunsō' theatrical feature at fourth, and the latest 'Anpanman' film at fifth.
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' debuted at #1 in Japan's box office for June 12-14, 2026, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha. Other new entries include 'Osomatsu-san: The Human Scum-ification Plan!!!!!?' at #3, 'Bluey in Cinema: The Sign' at #8, and 'Temporary Extra Service: Milky☆Subway Local Train to the Theater' at #9.
Producer Graham King revealed in a Japan interview that the team discussed recreating Disneyland's 'Captain EO' attraction for the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael.' The attraction, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and executive produced by George Lucas, was ultimately cut due to time constraints and rights issues. King noted a sequel is in development, leaving the possibility open.
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' has released a new clip recreating the 1983 'Billie Jean' performance where the singer first performed the moonwalk. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's nephew, who underwent two years of rehearsal and analyzed original footage frame by frame to match the movements. The scene was filmed at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the same venue where the original 'Motown 25' special was recorded. Director Antoine Fuqua said the team felt a responsibility to accurately recreate the historic moment. The film also announces a three-day limited IMAX preview screening from June 5 to 7 at 62 theaters nationwide. Attendees will receive an A3 poster on a first-come, first-served basis. The movie traces Jackson's life from his childhood in the Jackson 5 through his solo career and global fame. The supporting cast includes Colman Domingo as father Joseph, Nia Long as mother Katherine, Kendrick Sampson as producer Quincy Jones, and Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca. The screenplay is by John Logan, with Graham King producing. 'Michael' opens nationwide on June 12, distributed by Kino Films.