In a move that stunned both Hollywood insiders and loyal fans, Lionsgate recently confirmed that the highly anticipated Michael biopic—an ambitious cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of pop icon Michael Jackson—will be split into two parts. But that bombshell came just as the project hit yet another major obstacle: a delay that could push its release well beyond its originally slated date of October 3, 2025.
The film, which began as a dream collaboration between Training Day director Antoine Fuqua and Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King, has now found itself caught in a web of legal landmines, production woes, and schedule reshuffling. The latest blow came during a Lionsgate earnings call, where executive Jon Feltheimer reluctantly admitted that the film would “likely” be delayed past the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2026. The delay, he added, would impact fiscal 2026 financials but bolster what he described as an already “strong fiscal ’27 slate.” Translation? The world may not see Michael hit the big screen until April 2026 or later.
While the film’s creators have made headlines touting their commitment to authenticity and excellence, storm clouds have been gathering for months. In January, reports surfaced that major reshoots would be necessary, not due to creative differences or performance issues, but because of a missed legal red flag.
Back in 1993, Jackson was accused of molesting 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, a case that ended in a $25 million out-of-court settlement. Crucially, that agreement included a clause that barred the Chandlers from being portrayed in any dramatization of events. That clause, however, slipped through the cracks when screenwriter John Logan’s script was first cleared for production.
The mistake triggered a production crisis. According to insiders, parts of the script had to be urgently rewritten and entire scenes reshot. “The Michael Jackson biopic is not in chaos,” a source close to the project told a leading entertainment magazine at the time. “The inflammatory headlines about the movie’s halt are simply not true. The film is moving forward, and reshoots are happening in March.”
Still, for a project of this magnitude—a film daring to tell the story of one of the most complex and controversial figures in pop culture history—every delay is a potential disaster. And when Lionsgate took the stage at CinemaCon 2024, expectations were sky-high. But despite having wrapped principal photography in May 2024, the studio didn’t show a single frame of footage. The silence was deafening.
At the heart of Michael is a casting choice that’s both poignant and bold: Michael Jackson will be played by his real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson. The young actor and singer has drawn praise for his uncanny resemblance and vocal prowess, and insiders say his performance could be a career-defining moment. Alongside Jaafar, Coleman Domingo, and Nia Long portray Michael’s often-feared father, Joe Jackson, and his resilient mother, Katherine. Miles Teller steps into the role of John Branca, Jackson’s longtime attorney and music industry gatekeeper.
The film, envisioned as both a dazzling tribute and a sobering reckoning, will now span two separate installments—likely to give adequate space to the King of Pop’s meteoric rise, complex family dynamics, artistic genius, and the darker controversies that defined his later years.
Splitting a biopic into two parts is rare, and it speaks volumes about the scope the filmmakers are aiming for. Think Kill Bill, but for the life of a man who redefined pop music and transformed the global entertainment landscape.
But to make this decision with these additions raises stakes – and expectations. Will a currently waiting audience display the patience through these delays in a staggered release? Will the film capture Jackson’s magic without neglecting his flawed truths?
One thing we know for sure is that Michael will not be a normal biopic. It’s a cultural flashpoint, a cinematic high-wire act balanced between celebration and controversy. As it heads toward what is now likely a 2026 premiere, fans and critics alike will be watching closely. Not just to see how the story unfolds—but to see if Hollywood can finally do justice to the man who once ruled the world from the stage.
Whether Michael becomes a triumph or a cautionary tale remains to be seen. But one thing is undeniable: the spotlight is waiting, and when the curtain finally rises, the world will be watching.
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