Miles Teller To Play Michael Jackson’s Attorney John Branca In Biopic ‘Michael’

Anthony D'Alessandro

6 February 2024 at 12:17 pm·2-min read

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International have made official what we told you: Miles Teller is joining Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic Michael. The attorney that Teller will be playing is John Branca, who shepherded the King of Pop’s career as he transitioned from a singing sensation in a boy band to world-renowned mega star.

Branca is also producing the movie with John McClain; they are co-executors of Jackson’s estate.

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Lionsgate and Universal have slated the film’s worldwide release for April 18, 2025. Production is underway.

“Miles is a compelling screen presence, whom I’ve admired since watching him in Whiplash. He’s the perfect actor to capture John’s enigmatic persona,” said Michael producer Graham King in statement. “From our earliest development conversations, it was clear the emotional connection that John still has to Michael. He graciously allowed us to use him as a character in the film and I’m thrilled that it’s Miles who will portray a relationship that extended over 3 decades, through Michael’s greatest triumphs and most difficult days.”

Fuqua added, “Miles’ finely tuned skills as an actor are up to the challenge of playing a man who is being examined for the pivotal role he played in Michael Jackson’s life. He is the perfect actor to disappear into the role of John Branca.”

Teller will next star in director Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge for Apple TV+, opposite Anya Taylor-Joy and Sigourney Weaver. He most recently starred in Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing movie of all time Top Gun: Maverick ($1.49 billion), Spiderhead and the series The Offer. He is represented by CAA and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.

Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson is playing the title role while 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi playing the young superstar. Oscar nominee Colman Domingo will portray Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson and Nia Long has been cast as Katherine Jackson, the reigning matriarch.

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