Michael Jackson Biopic Moonwalking to 22 Days of Additional Photography in June (Exclusive)

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Lionsgate and producer Graham King have determined that a few improvements are needed for the person they’re looking at, which is themselves.

Michael, the upcoming biographical film about Michael Jackson, is planning to conduct an extensive 22-day shoot in June, according to several sources who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter.

Despite a significant legal issue, the film, tentatively titled “King’s Shoot,” is considering different paths for continuation by the Jackson Estate, Lionsgate, and Universal. Given the current circumstances, it appears the movie may be divided into two parts. This new shoot seems to signal progress being made.

As an ardent fan, I’ve picked up some exciting news from THR that hints at a potential second movie. Although the script is yet to be finalized, it seems the initial shoot is planned for June, not for the sequel, but for the first film itself. The term “reshoots” might be circulating, but in this context, it’s more about extending what was initially half a film into a full-length feature. Insiders reveal that the new movie will conclude with Michael Jackson departing from the Jackson 5 following the release of his debut solo album, “Off the Wall.” (Yes, you heard it right, Bubbles the chimpanzee is part of the first film!)

In the movie “Michael,” directed by Antoine Fuqua, Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late pop legend, takes on the role. He captivated the world with hits like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal” and “Remember the Time.” Alongside Jaafar, you’ll see Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller in this film as well.

In the later stages of his career, Jackson encountered numerous allegations of child sexual abuse. One such accusation posed a significant challenge for producers and studios, as it involved a scene in the third act of the planned biopic, ‘Michael’, which depicted an accuser who had previously settled with Jackson’s estate. This individual was not to be dramatized due to the settlement agreement. As reported by Puck in January, this aspect of the movie had been overlooked when the estate approved it, as they are backing the production. Originally intended as a standalone film chronicling the pop star’s career and life, ‘Michael’ is now being reconsidered for a two-part release to provide the filmmakers with more time to address this issue. (According to Puck, the estate had not taken this agreement into account when giving their approval for the movie.)

On a recent quarterly earnings call, Lionsgate’s CEO, Jon Feltheimer, announced that the movie’s release has been pushed back to 2026. He mentioned that they will disclose the specific date and timing in the upcoming weeks. Previously, the film was scheduled for April 2025 but has now been delayed by six months, with Michael set to debut in October instead. Additionally, Feltheimer shared that director Fuqua and screenwriter King have already filmed over three and a half hours of footage for the project.

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2025-05-23 21:54