Lionsgate’s CEO has admitted that the upcoming biopic of Michael Jackson – Michael – is unlikely to arrive this year.
Rumours surrounding the delay of Michael, the upcoming biopic charting the life and times of Michael Jackson have been swirling for some time. Whilst nothing has officially changed yet, it’s now been confirmed by Lionsgate’s CEO that a release date change is “likely”. What’s more, a large hint has been dropped as to whether the film will indeed be split into two parts as many have suspected will be the case.
Speaking at an earnings call, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer had the following to say about Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming film, which stars Jackson’s real life nephew Jaafar Jackson as the late singer:
“In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we’re excited about the three and a half hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy and timing in the next few weeks. I would note that it is likely we will move Michael out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal ’26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal ’27 slate.”
Which basically says: delayed.
As mentioned above, starring in the title role is Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late pop icon. Nia Long will be playing Katherine Jackson, the matriarch of the Jackson clan. Miles Teller is in place to play an unnamed attorney, while Colman Domingo is also part of the ensemble.
Stories were circling a while ago that the film was having issues in post-production, with unsubstantiated claims stating that the third act of the film needed to be reshot because of ‘legal issues’. Michael Jackson fans on social media were very ‘responsive’ to outlets that dared report this.
However, the confirmation that Fuqua has shot three and a half hours of footage – before the extensive reshoots had even begun – suggests that it’s likely the film will also be split into two parts. Given that the production budget is already said to have exceeded the $150m mark, splitting the film into two would be one way to ensure the studio’s balance sheet looks healthier.
We’ll bring you more on this one as we hear it. More as we hear it.
