The man in the mirror — is Miles Teller?
The “Top Gun: Maverick” actor, 38, appears nearly unrecognizable in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael.”
The first trailer for the Antoine Fuqua-directed drama dropped on Thursday. Teller plays John Branca, Jackson’s former attorney and manager.
“Miles Teller’s wig might be the most controversial part of this film,” one person wrote on X, formerly Twitter. A second critic exclaimed: “He looks so different!”
Teller, fresh off his hosting duties on “Saturday Night Live,” opened up about the role in an interview with Variety in March 2024.
“You only get so many opportunities in this business to make films. I’m really excited to be a part of it. I think it’s going to blow people away,” he said at the time. To get into character, he added: “I think you just try to inundate yourself with as much information as you can.”
Teller also met with Branca pre-production. “I’ve gotten to hang out with him a little bit,” he shared. “I mean, it’s really it’s an incredible team involved. … I just like being a part of the team if you come from theater; I think the word ensemble means a lot.”
He concluded: “Regardless of what you know or what your opinion may be, Michael is one of the greatest to ever do it, if not the greatest. He deserves a movie, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Jackson will actually be played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, on the big screen. The 29-year-old is the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza.
“I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life,” he wrote via Instagram in 2023 when the casting news was announced. “To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon.”
The cast is rounded out with Colman Domingo, who plays Michael’s father Joe Jackson, Nia Long as his mother Katherine Jackson, Jessica Sula as his sister LaToya Jackson, Larenz Tate as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Laura Harrier as music executive Suzanne de Passe and Kat Graham as Diana Ross.
The late King of Pop died from cardiac arrest caused by a fatal drug cocktail in 2009. He was 50.
“Michael” is expected to hit theaters on April 24, 2026.
