One of Hollywood’s biggest stars will join the cast of one of the music industry’s biggest icons. Miles Teller has been cast as the lawyer John Branca in the Michael Jackson biopic titled Michael. The Top Gun star joins Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the titled role, Juliano Krue Valdi as the young artist, Colman Domingo as the family patriarch Joe Jackson, and Nia Long as the family matriarch Katherine Jackson.
The lawyer was the man behind the scenes pulling strings to make the boyband star into a reigning king in pop music for years to come. The real Branca is a producer for the biopic.
Michael Jackson Biopic Moves Forward With Miles Teller as John Branca
Major talent has been growing behind the camera and in front of it. Alongside the cast, they will be led by director Antoine Fuqua, who is best known for his work on The Equalizer trilogy. Three-time Oscar nominee John Logan will pen the script. He was nominated for his work on Gladiator, The Aviator, and Hugo.
The news about Miles Teller joining the Michael Jackson biopic came a week ago from Deadline. At the time, it was unknown which of the late musician’s lawyers he would be playing, whether it be the one who shaped his career or Howard Weitzman, who defended him against claims of pedophilia. Today, the casting was confirmed by Lionsgate and Universal.
It is unknown if the film will address the elephant in the room. For much of the latter part of the musician’s career, he faced allegations of sexually abusing children. The documentary Finding Neverland shed light on it, which led to the estate of the celebrity denying the claims that were made.
Michael is set to release on April 18, 2025.
