Miles Teller Is Unrecognizable as John Branca in Michael Jackson Biopic

Miles Teller underwent an unrecognizable transformation while playing John Branca in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic.

Fans caught a first glimpse of Teller, 38, as Jackson’s lawyer John Branca in the Michael trailer, which debuted on Thursday, November 6. In the clip, the actor was seen wearing a prosthetic nose and a long hair wig. His hair was cut to his shoulders in a shaggy style with his baby bangs parted down the middle with a few strands over his forehead.

In true attorney style, Teller wore a black blazer and a crisp white dress shirt.

Fans shared their mixed feelings about his look via X.

“He looks like Rat Boy,” one online troll wrote, while another added, “Crazy how I almost didn’t recognize him for a second.” A third added, “He looks so different!” 

While some were shocked to see his look, others weren’t so upset about it. “Even in that awful wig I still would,” one fan quipped, as a second added, “I gotta say, he looks fantastic.” A third X user echoed, “Miles Teller looks fantastic.”

In the movie, Teller is playing Branca, 74, who had a close work and personal relationship with Jackson, who died at age 50 in 2009. Jackson was the best man at Branca’s wedding, and following the singer’s death, the lawyer was named co-executor of his estate. He still manages the estate today.

While they were close, Jackson briefly fired Branca in 1990 due to concerns of his representation of other artists in the industry. In 1993, they worked together again. Later in 2006, Branca resigned because he felt that Jackson was being advised by people who did not have the singer’s best interests. They reconciled shortly before the artist’s death.

According to the movie’s official logline, Michael is “An in-depth portrayal of Michael Jackson, a complicated man, who became the King of Pop. The biopic will bring to life Jackson’s most iconic performances as it gives an informed insight into the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life.”

The movie was written by John Logan and produced by Graham King, who previously worked on Bohemian Rhapsody, which followed Queen’s journey. Branca and John McClain, who is the other co-executor of Jackson’s estate, helped produce the film.

Branca opened up about the movie while chatting with the Financial Times earlier this month, sharing that the story is “not defensive at all.”

“We are not out to declare Michael’s innocence,” he explained. “The aim is to tell Michael’s story. What was his journey? Who was he?”

Branca added, “Michael deserves to tell his own story, because you’ve all these creeps telling their story and it ain’t true.”

More stars in the movie include Jaafar Jackson, who is playing the singer, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson and Kat Graham as Diana Ross. This is Jaafar’s first role in a movie. Jaafar is Michael’s nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson, Michael’s brother.

Michael is set to premiere in theaters on April 24, 2026.