After rumours of delays, director Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic is again scheduled for an October 2025 release.
Update 7th February 2025: Since the post below was written, Michael’s release date has reappeared on Box Office Mojo. According to that site’s listing, the biopic is again scheduled for the 3rd October 2025. How will this fit with rumours that the film’s third act has been reshot? When we find out the answer to that question, we’ll let you know.
Our original story follows…
6th February 2025: It sounds like all is not well with the planned biopic of Michael Jackson, a film that’s going by the name of Michael. The family-endorsed film, which has already raised fears we’re getting a sanitised version of a story awash with allegations, has now hit another obstacle.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael was set to be a huge part of Lionsgate’s 2025 release slate. According to Box Office Mojo, however, the film has now been removed from that October release slot, and a new date has now been announced. The suggestion seems to be that those who were intending to see the movie will now have to wait until next year.
It’s the second delay the film has faced in the space of a couple of months, given that it was only November of last year when Michael was delayed by six months, from April of 2025 into that October slot.
Speaking at San Diego Comic Con earlier this year, (via The Hollywood Reporter) Fuqua talked a little about his desire to make the film, saying: “Why I wanted to make it is, Michael. Michael was a big part of my life growing up, big influence on my career, an incredible artist – but he was a human being, and we’re exploring that. I’m very excited about it.”
Starring in the title role is Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late pop icon. Nia Long will play 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.
As with the film’s first major delay, no reason has officially been given as to why the film has once again vacated its planned release slot (and a pretty coveted October slot at that). However, Puck recently claimed that the film’s third act has had to be scrapped and reshot because of major legal ramifications. The ensuing delay certainly lends credence to that story, although unsurprisingly, no confirmation has been given.
How much of those ‘legal issues’ are to do with the controversy that dogged the later years of Jackson’s life remains to be seen. Whether the high-profile allegations against him make it onto the screen, we don’t yet know but the project isn’t exactly enjoying the smoothest journey to the screen. We’ll bring you more on this one as we hear it.
