Antoine Fuqua was announced as director of Michael (2026 film) in 2023.
The announcement came during the film’s development phase, after Graham King had secured the rights to produce a Michael Jackson film and John Logan had been reported as the screenwriter. Fuqua’s appointment established the project’s directing leadership before filming began.
Fuqua is known for films including Training Day, The Equalizer, and Southpaw. His involvement placed the Jackson biopic in the hands of a director experienced with dramatic, performance-driven stories and large-scale commercial filmmaking.
The year 2023 refers to Fuqua’s appointment, not the start of principal photography. Filming was delayed by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and eventually took place from January 22 through May 30, 2024. The film was later scheduled for release in 2026 after changes to its production and post-production timeline.