21 October,2026 03:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
A still from Michael. Pic via IMDb
The upcoming Golden Globes may not see Michael, the biopic on pop icon Michael Jackson, compete in the Musical or Comedy categories. The awards committee has rejected Lionsgate's bid to place the film in that category at the 2027 ceremony, according to Variety. The decision was first reported by Gold Derby.
Starring Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as the King of Pop, the film is now expected to compete in the Drama categories, where it could face Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Los Javis' La Bola Negra, among other titles. However, Lionsgate can still appeal the decision before the October 31 submission deadline. If it does, the Golden Globes' awards committee will review the appeal.
The committee's decision comes despite the film's musical elements. Under Golden Globes rules, a musical can be a comedy or drama in which songs are used alongside spoken dialogue to advance the plot. The ruling does not affect the supporting actor and actress categories, which are not divided by genre. This means Colman Domingo and Nia Long remain eligible in their respective categories, subject to the usual selection process.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, Michael traces Jackson's journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to his Bad tour in the late 1980s. The film features Jaafar Jackson as the adult Michael, while Juliano Valdi portrays the singer in his younger years. Both actors made their film debuts with the project.
Domingo and Long play Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively. The film was released in April 2026 and chronicles the rise of one of pop music's most influential performers. The reported Golden Globes decision places the biopic in a competitive drama field, should the studio accept the ruling. Lionsgate's potential appeal could still change the film's category, leaving its final awards positioning to be determined.
Meanwhile, a sequel to Michael is already in development. Actor Miles Teller, who portrayed Jackson's lawyer-manager John Branca in the first film, confirmed in May that a follow-up was being planned. While details about the sequel, including its plot and production timeline, remain limited, the development signals that the story may continue beyond the events covered in the first film.
For now, the focus remains on the biopic's awards prospects and whether Lionsgate will challenge the Golden Globes' classification. The studio's next move ahead of the October 31 deadline will determine whether Michael remains in the drama race or gets another chance to compete in the Musical or Comedy category.
