If you’ve heard the rumors, many of them from Puck News, Lionsgate’s upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael,” from director Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”) is in trouble and facing issues, significant delays and potential reshoots. And, well, it appears those rumors are true.
READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2025
This morning, journalist Jeff Sneider reported that “Michael” would no longer be released in 2025. According to Variety, the most recent cut ran four hours long, and the studio will likely cut the film into two parts. And by most trade accounts, it seems unlikely that the film will make its slated October 3 release date.
While “Michael” was part of CinemaCon’s presentation this week, no footage from the film was shown. Featuring a budget reported $155 million—very high for a biopic—Michael,” stars Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role and makes his on-screen debut in the movie.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long will play his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller will portray Jackson’s attorney and advisor, John Branca. Larenz Tate stars as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Laura Harrier portrays pioneering female music executive Suzanne de Passe and Kat Graham appears as music icon Diana Ross.
Additionally, according to a Puck report earlier this year, the late pop star’s estate was facing legal issues for overlooking a key contract and a past settlement with a family of one of Jackson’s molestation accusers. They reported that the biopic’s third act is unusable, and its producers are scrambling to rewrite, reshoot, and somehow salvage the picture in time for the fall, but that’s clearly not happening.
Additional cast includes Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Michael’s older sister; Liv Symone as Gladys Knight; Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark; KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Jackson’s former security-turned-trusted friend and confidante Bill Bray; and Kendrick Sampson as legendary music producer Quincy Jones. Actor Derek Luke also played lawyer Johnny Cochran in the aforementioned third act, but it’s unclear if he’ll still be in the movie once it’s reworked.
