Rolling Stone Scrutinizes the Michael Jackson Biopic’s Version of History

Rolling Stone published a detailed fact-check of the forthcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael, dissecting early promotional material and known production choices. The piece highlights the inclusion of a CGI chimpanzee, a clear nod to Jackson’s pet Bubbles, while noting the complete absence of Janet Jackson from the film’s narrative. These decisions reflect the tight control the Jackson estate holds over the project.

Director Antoine Fuqua and screenwriter John Logan worked closely with estate executors John Branca and John McClain, alongside producer Graham King. The Lionsgate release, starring Jaafar Jackson as his uncle, leans heavily on spectacle and the singer’s imperial phase. The fact-check points out that biopics are rarely concerned with fidelity, but the omissions here feel deliberate. The child abuse allegations that dominated Jackson’s later life remain untouched in any visible framing so far.

The film’s approach treats Jackson’s story as a curated product rather than a life. Rolling Stone’s analysis suggests that when an estate is this involved, the result can be less a portrait than a polished artifact. Michael is scheduled to reach theaters in October 2025. The conversation around what it chooses to show, and what it quietly disappears, will likely outlast opening weekend.