Michael Jackson Biopic Release Date Doubtful, Might Be Split Into Two Films – ryan
CinemaCon is all about studios showcasing to exhibitors what they have on their docket that they should be excited about. Lionsgate had its presentation and wisely revealed that John Wick would be coming back for a fifth round of action while also discussing how that universe would be expanding. Lionsgate also has what could be one of the biggest musical biopics on the schedule in Michael, a film directed by Antoine Fuqua that should get fans of Michael Jackson excited. It would be a project that a studio would want to showcase to exhibitors since it’s supposed to open in the fall of this year, but it was noticeably absent from their presentation. Why was it missing in action? As it turns out, some of the issues have to do with how to release the film, and the other matter in question is if it will even release this year at all.
Per Deadline, the Michael Jackson biopic has a cut that is near the four-hour mark, and that’s why Lionsgate is considering splitting the project into two movies. That has been a move made by the likes of the Harry Potter and Twilight adaptations for their final films and is not common for biopics, but Michael Jackson could prove to be an exception. There is a lot to cover in Jackson’s life, ranging from his time with the Jackson 5 to releasing the highest-selling album of all time in Thriller, and then all the mess that subsequently went on with him through the ’90s that pretty much lasted until his passing in 2009. To not shortchange the key moments of his life, it may serve the story more to split the films into two parts if Lionsgate feels it would be financially viable to do so.
Will ‘Michael’ Actually Be Released This Year?
Another matter in question is if Michael will make its Oct. 3 release date, which was already moved from this very month a while back. The original move seemed to be done to position the movie for prime awards season attention, which made sense at the time. The October release date is in question for one main reason, and that has to do with the rumors surrounding the third act needing to be reworked for legal reasons. Allegedly, the Jackson estate didn’t want the Jordan Chandler molestation events from the 1990s to be addressed because there was a settlement in place at the time that explicitly stated these events could not be dramatized in any way. Not sure how this slipped through the cracks with the Jackson estate being involved with the production (and Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, playing the musical icon), but much of this was reportedly filmed for the third act and now needs to be adjusted accordingly. We are a long way off from October, but who knows how long these reshoots will take if this is all true.
Related
Miles Teller Recounts Filming Controversial Michael Jackson Biopic at Neverland Ranch: “It Was Wild”
Miles Teller admits that filming ‘Michael Jackson’ has been quite challenging as it keeps getting controversial.
Some say there is still time to make the appropriate changes and still have Michael ready for a full awards season launch this year, but all signs point to the film being pushed to 2026. Nothing is confirmed at the moment, but Lionsgate has put a lot of money into the project (the budget is said to be in the $150 million range, in large part because of Jackson’s extensive music catalog) and they know that the potential for success is huge. Graham King, who is involved with this production, also had a hand in Bohemian Rhapsody, and that film earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination along with a massive $910.8 million worldwide. Michael Jackson is arguably bigger than Queen on a global scale, so there is a chance that Michael could become one of, if not the biggest, musical biopics of all time when it’s all said and done.
Directed by Fuqua from a screenplay by John Logan, Michael will chronicle the career of one of the most prolific entertainers of all time, from his childhood with the Jackson 5, to his massive success as a solo artist. The film will also dive into his personal life and detail many of the trials and tribulations he went through until his death in 2009. The movie also stars Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate and Derek Luke.
For now, Michael hits screens on Oct. 3.
Source: Deadline
Michael
- Release Date
-
October 3, 2025
- Director
-
Antoine Fuqua
- Writers
-
John Logan
- Producers
-
David B. Householter, Graham King, John Branca
Cast
-
Jaafar Jackson
Michael Jackson
-
Colman Domingo
Joe Jackson
-
Nia Long
Katherine Jackson
-
Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film based on the life of the American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. It is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan. Michael Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut.
CinemaCon is all about studios showcasing to exhibitors what they have on their docket that they should be excited about. Lionsgate had its presentation and wisely revealed that John Wick would be coming back for a fifth round of action while also discussing how that universe would be expanding. Lionsgate also has what could be one of the biggest musical biopics on the schedule in Michael, a film directed by Antoine Fuqua that should get fans of Michael Jackson excited. It would be a project that a studio would want to showcase to exhibitors since it’s supposed to open in the fall of this year, but it was noticeably absent from their presentation. Why was it missing in action? As it turns out, some of the issues have to do with how to release the film, and the other matter in question is if it will even release this year at all.
Per Deadline, the Michael Jackson biopic has a cut that is near the four-hour mark, and that’s why Lionsgate is considering splitting the project into two movies. That has been a move made by the likes of the Harry Potter and Twilight adaptations for their final films and is not common for biopics, but Michael Jackson could prove to be an exception. There is a lot to cover in Jackson’s life, ranging from his time with the Jackson 5 to releasing the highest-selling album of all time in Thriller, and then all the mess that subsequently went on with him through the ’90s that pretty much lasted until his passing in 2009. To not shortchange the key moments of his life, it may serve the story more to split the films into two parts if Lionsgate feels it would be financially viable to do so.
Will ‘Michael’ Actually Be Released This Year?
Another matter in question is if Michael will make its Oct. 3 release date, which was already moved from this very month a while back. The original move seemed to be done to position the movie for prime awards season attention, which made sense at the time. The October release date is in question for one main reason, and that has to do with the rumors surrounding the third act needing to be reworked for legal reasons. Allegedly, the Jackson estate didn’t want the Jordan Chandler molestation events from the 1990s to be addressed because there was a settlement in place at the time that explicitly stated these events could not be dramatized in any way. Not sure how this slipped through the cracks with the Jackson estate being involved with the production (and Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, playing the musical icon), but much of this was reportedly filmed for the third act and now needs to be adjusted accordingly. We are a long way off from October, but who knows how long these reshoots will take if this is all true.
Related
Miles Teller Recounts Filming Controversial Michael Jackson Biopic at Neverland Ranch: “It Was Wild”
Miles Teller admits that filming ‘Michael Jackson’ has been quite challenging as it keeps getting controversial.
Some say there is still time to make the appropriate changes and still have Michael ready for a full awards season launch this year, but all signs point to the film being pushed to 2026. Nothing is confirmed at the moment, but Lionsgate has put a lot of money into the project (the budget is said to be in the $150 million range, in large part because of Jackson’s extensive music catalog) and they know that the potential for success is huge. Graham King, who is involved with this production, also had a hand in Bohemian Rhapsody, and that film earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination along with a massive $910.8 million worldwide. Michael Jackson is arguably bigger than Queen on a global scale, so there is a chance that Michael could become one of, if not the biggest, musical biopics of all time when it’s all said and done.
Directed by Fuqua from a screenplay by John Logan, Michael will chronicle the career of one of the most prolific entertainers of all time, from his childhood with the Jackson 5, to his massive success as a solo artist. The film will also dive into his personal life and detail many of the trials and tribulations he went through until his death in 2009. The movie also stars Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate and Derek Luke.
For now, Michael hits screens on Oct. 3.
Source: Deadline
Michael
- Release Date
-
October 3, 2025
- Director
-
Antoine Fuqua
- Writers
-
John Logan
- Producers
-
David B. Householter, Graham King, John Branca
Cast
-
Jaafar Jackson
Michael Jackson
-
Colman Domingo
Joe Jackson
-
Nia Long
Katherine Jackson
-
Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film based on the life of the American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. It is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan. Michael Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut.