The estate-backed Michael, a biopic of Michael Jackson directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, opened with star-studded premieres in Berlin and Los Angeles in April 2026 ahead of its global release on April 24. Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, plays the adult Michael and has drawn widespread praise for his performance; Colman Domingo’s depiction of Joe Jackson was also noted by reviewers. Early critical reaction was mixed to negative, with a low Rotten Tomatoes score reported in advance of wide review publication. Many critics and commentators lauded the musical set pieces and recreation of iconic performances but criticised the film for largely omitting the later child-sex-abuse allegations. According to industry reports, references to those allegations were removed after discovery of legal constraints tied to a decades-old settlement, prompting costly reshoots. Members of the Jackson family attended premieres, though divisions remain — notably between family members who supported the production and others, including Paris Jackson, who publicly criticised it. The film’s focus on triumph and artistry, combined with estate involvement, has fuelled debate about biography, legacy control and the limits of dramatizing controversial public figures.

Dave Mason, the British-born guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the 1960s band Traffic, died on April 19 at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. He was 79. The musician’s family said he passed away peacefully; no cause was disclosed. Mason wrote and sang Traffic staples including “Hole in My Shoe” and the enduring standard “Feelin’ Alright?,” and later enjoyed solo success with hits such as “We Just Disagree” and “Only You Know and I Know.” He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Traffic in 2004. A noted session player, Mason contributed to recordings by Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, George Harrison and others, and briefly joined Fleetwood Mac in the 1990s. In 2024 he canceled tour dates after doctors found a serious heart condition and he retired from touring in 2025 because of ongoing health issues. He is survived by his wife, Winifred Wilson, and daughter Danielle; he was preceded in death by his son, True.

Elizabeth Smart, 38, publicly shared a photo on April 21 from a recent Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding and fitness show in Salt Lake City — her fourth competition — revealing a new chapter in her life as a competitive bodybuilder. The child-safety advocate said she had long been “too afraid to post” photos of her physique, fearing judgment and that she might be seen as less credible in her survivor advocacy. In her Instagram caption Smart linked the vulnerability of sharing her fitness journey to the trauma she endured during a nine-month abduction in 2002, saying she wants to celebrate the strength of a body that “has carried me through every worst day.” Smart thanked her coach Robyn Maher and said the experience challenged her physically and mentally and prompted her to reject being reduced to a single label. Media coverage across outlets noted the move follows her continued public work — including books and a recent Netflix documentary — and framed the post as both a personal milestone and a public statement about resilience and identity.

The estate-backed biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, premiered in Berlin and at a star-studded Los Angeles event in mid-April ahead of its wide release on April 24, 2026. Early reviews and audience reactions praised Jaafar’s performance and the film’s recreation of Jackson’s landmark musical sequences, but many critics labelled the picture a ‘whitewash’ for omitting the later sexual-abuse allegations. Reports say references to the 1993 Jordan Chandler case were removed after legal constraints tied to a prior settlement required changes and prompted costly reshoots and a delayed release. The production, made with the cooperation of the Jackson estate and several family members, has exposed divisions in the family — several siblings and son Prince Jackson supported the film while daughter Paris Jackson publicly criticised it. Aggregators showed mixed scores (around mid-20s to low-30s percent among early critics). Observers note the film emphasises legacy and spectacle over controversy, positioning itself as a celebratory first chapter rather than a comprehensive portrait of Jackson’s later life.

The highly anticipated sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2 held a star-studded premiere at Lincoln Center in New York on April 20–21, 2026 as part of a global press tour that has also stopped in Mexico City, Seoul and other cities ahead of the film’s May 1 release. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci led the cast on the red carpet, joined by cameo appearances and guest talent including Lady Gaga, Simone Ashley, Lucy Liu and Justin Theroux. Fashion houses showcased bespoke looks from Prada, Schiaparelli, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy and Saint Laurent across promotional events; Gaga contributed to the soundtrack with a track co-written with Doechii. Behind-the-scenes notes show director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna shaping the sequel’s tone — Andy Sachs (Hathaway) returns to Runway while Emily Charlton (Blunt) is now a luxury-brand executive — and that a brief Sydney Sweeney cameo was filmed but cut for creative reasons. On-set moments included Anna Wintour offering production notes and Hathaway advocating for greater body inclusivity among models featured in the film’s fashion sequences.

A24 has tapped rising filmmaker Curry Barker to write and direct a reimagined feature of the storied horror franchise The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, multiple outlets reported April 21-22. Barker, 25, rose from YouTube sketch and ultra-low-budget horror (his debut cost about $800) to festival acclaim with Obsession, a TIFF Midnight Madness title sold in a high-profile deal for roughly $14-15 million and due in theaters May 15. The new film is being developed separately from an A24-backed TV series produced by Barnstorm partners Glen Powell and Dan Cohen and director JT Mollner. Producers on the feature include Roy Lee and Steven Schneider of Spooky Pictures, Stuart Manashil, Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel and franchise co-creator Kim Henkel; Ben Ross of Image Nation is executive producing. Barker is also working with Blumhouse on Anything But Ghosts. A24 acquired the Chainsaw rights in a competitive auction last year and has positioned the project as a “reimagining,” with creative details and casting not yet disclosed.