Lionsgate’s upcoming Michael Jackson biopic is making serious waves, and not just because of its $155 million budget. The film pairs Hollywood veterans with the King of Pop’s nephew in what might be the entertainment industry’s boldest casting gamble of the decade. With the April 24, 2026, release date creeping closer and the trailer already racking up over 30 million views in just six hours, everyone’s talking about “Michael.”
Miles Teller leads the financial pecking order among the star-studded cast of Lionsgate’s $155 million Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” but the real story isn’t about established Hollywood wealth; it’s about the massive gamble on a 28-year-old newcomer carrying one of 2026’s most anticipated films.
Let’s break down who’s earning what and why it matters.
1. Miles Teller – $16 Million
Miles Teller sits comfortably at the top with an estimated net worth of $16 million, making him the wealthiest cast member by a significant margin. The 38-year-old actor is taking on the role of John Branca, Michael Jackson’s longtime attorney and current co-executor of his estate, who’s also serving as one of the film’s producers.
Teller’s fortune got a massive boost from “Top Gun: Maverick” in 2022. That blockbuster earned $1.5 billion worldwide, and Teller reportedly took home a base salary of $3.5 million with backend participation that could’ve pushed his total earnings to around $7 million. Not too shabby for playing Rooster, right?
He earned just $8,000 for his career-defining performance in “Whiplash” (2014), but that role opened doors to bigger opportunities. His recent projects include “The Gorge,” a sci-fi thriller opposite Anya Taylor-Joy, which premiered on Apple TV+ in February 2025, and “Eternity,” an A24 film starring Elizabeth Olsen. Director Antoine Fuqua praised Teller’s ability to capture Branca’s complex persona, though we don’t know what he’s making for “Michael.”
2. Colman Domingo – $8 Million
Colman Domingo comes in second with an estimated $8 million net worth, and honestly, that number feels like it’s about to explode. The 55-year-old powerhouse is playing Joe Jackson, Michael’s notoriously demanding father and manager, in what promises to be one of the film’s most challenging roles.
Domingo’s recent career has been nothing short of extraordinary. He scored back-to-back Oscar nominations for Best Actor in 2024 for “Rustin” and in 2025 for “Sing Sing.” He won his first Emmy in 2022 for “Euphoria,” co-chaired the 2025 Met Gala, and landed on Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2024. That’s what you call momentum.
With over 60 to 70 acting credits spanning three decades, plus directing and producing work through his company Edith Productions, Domingo is the rare late-career breakthrough story. His 2024-2025 slate includes Netflix’s limited series “The Madness,” the renewed Netflix comedy “The Four Seasons,” and voice work as Norman Osborn in Marvel’s “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” The man’s literally everywhere, and his talent speaks for itself.
3. Nia Long – $5 Million
Nia Long sits at the $5 million mark, thanks to three decades of excellence in Black cinema. The 54-year-old actress is portraying Katherine Jackson, Michael’s devoted mother, and she’s bringing serious credibility to the role.
Long’s resume reads like a greatest hits collection of Black cinema. She starred in “Boyz n the Hood” (1991), anchored “The Best Man” franchise, and made “Friday” (1995) unforgettable. With four NAACP Image Awards and over 65 to 70 film and television credits under her belt, she’s earned every bit of respect she gets in Hollywood.
Her recent work includes the record-breaking Netflix film “You People” (2023) and Tyler Perry’s “Duplicity” (2025). She even landed a SKIMS shapewear campaign with Kim Kardashian. Best of all, she’s set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025, fulfilling a childhood dream her mother predicted years ago. Director Fuqua noted that Long has delivered iconic performances throughout her career, making her an ideal choice for the role of Katherine Jackson.
4. Derek Luke – $5 Million
Derek Luke shares the $5 million tier with Long, and he’s taking on the role of legendary attorney Johnnie Cochran, who defended Jackson during the highly controversial 1993 allegations. The 50-year-old actor burst onto the scene, winning an Independent Spirit Award for his 2002 debut in Denzel Washington’s “Antwone Fisher.”
Since then, Luke has built an impressive 47-credit filmography that includes “Friday Night Lights,” “Glory Road,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” and Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why.” Most recently, he starred in Disney+’s “The Crossover” in April 2024, playing a basketball coach and father. His casting in “Michael” reunites him with the kind of high-calibre dramatic material that launched his career, though, like most supporting players, his specific salary remains under wraps.
5. Kat Graham – $3 Million
Kat Graham comes in fifth with a $3 million net worth, mainly built on her eight-season run as Bonnie Bennett in The CW’s “The Vampire Diaries” from 2009 to 2017. The Swiss-born actress appeared in all 171 episodes of the supernatural hit, and she’s bringing that star power to her portrayal of Diana Ross in “Michael.”
She’s not just an actress but also a recording artist with four studio albums and Billboard chart success to her name. She has scored four number one Netflix films, including “Love in the Villa,” which topped the charts in 89 countries. That’s a global reach most actors never achieve.
Graham has accumulated over 110 film and television credits since starting her career at age six. She’s won two Teen Choice Awards, earned a 2020 Emmy nomination for a Black Lives Matter PSA, and was named to the TIME100 Next List in 2024. She also serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, has released a self-help book called “Seasons of You” with Penguin Random House, and has even launched an AI app in partnership with Google. Graham called working with Jaafar Jackson “really, really impressive” and expressed genuine excitement about the film’s music and Fuqua’s direction.
6. Jaafar Jackson – $500,000
Here’s where things get really interesting. Jaafar Jackson sits at the bottom of the financial rankings with a modest $500,000 net worth, but he’s carrying the entire $155 million film on his shoulders. The 29-year-old son of Jermaine Jackson represents both the biggest risk and potentially the biggest reward of the entire production.
Jaafar underwent over two years of intensive preparation for this role, training with the same vocal and dance coaches who worked with his uncle Michael. He was cast in January 2023 after a worldwide search, despite having minimal previous experience. His resume primarily consists of a 2015 reality series, “The Jacksons: Next Generation,” and his 2019 debut single, “Got Me Singing.” That’s it.
Yet producer Graham King was “blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael,” and Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, said Jaafar “embodies” her late son. In the November 2025 trailer, fans were awed by his uncanny resemblance to Michael and his recreation of iconic moments, including the moonwalk and “Thriller” choreography. Michael’s son, Prince Jackson, even posted support on Instagram, giving the project family approval.
This is the ultimate nepo baby narrative done right. Although his family connection secured the audition, Jaafar’s talent and rigorous preparation ultimately won him the lead role in a feature film with a $155 million budget. His net worth is poised to skyrocket if “Michael” delivers on its commercial promise, potentially transforming him from an unknown to a superstar overnight.
“Michael” has had a tumultuous journey to theatres. The production underwent expensive reshoots in June 2025 after filmmakers discovered they’d violated a settlement agreement regarding dramatising the 1993 Jordan Chandler allegations. The Jackson Estate is covering reshoot costs through co-executors and producers John Branca and John McClain, who also granted full access to Michael’s catalogue and archives.
Despite delays that pushed the release from April 2025 to October 2025 and finally April 24, 2026, industry buzz remains incredibly strong. Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Adam Fogelson told investors that people are “stunned with Jaafar’s performance,” and the film’s 3.5-hour runtime has already sparked discussions about a sequel. With comparisons to Graham King’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which earned $910.8 million worldwide, “Michael” could replicate that success.
None of the actors’ specific salaries for “Michael” have been disclosed, which is standard practice for supporting players and debut performers. But if Jaafar’s performance matches the trailer’s early buzz and the film becomes the commercial juggernaut everyone’s expecting, we might be watching the moment these financial rankings get completely reshuffled. April 2026 can’t come fast enough.
