Which actor plays attorney Johnnie Cochran in Michael?

Derek Luke plays attorney Johnnie Cochran in the 2026 film Michael.

Luke joined the production in April 2024 as Johnnie Cochran, the prominent American trial lawyer. Cochran appears among the film’s legal figures, although later revisions changed the story’s treatment of Michael Jackson’s controversies and removed references to certain allegations.

The role is distinct from Miles Teller’s portrayal of John Branca, another attorney connected with Jackson’s career and estate. Colman Domingo plays Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, while Larenz Tate portrays Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Derek Luke’s casting was announced during the film’s main casting period, after Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Colman Domingo and other principal performers had been attached. The production underwent substantial script changes and reshoots, so some originally reported characters and scenes did not remain in the final cut.