A film titled “Michael” is currently in production, following a series of successful music biopics. The 2018 musical biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which grossed over $900 million globally and received numerous Oscar nominations, set this trend. Last year also saw the release of “A Complete Unknown.” The upcoming film, “Michael,” focuses on the life story of the King of Pop, with Jaafar Jackson, the musician’s real-life nephew, in the lead role. Antoine Fuqua will direct, and John Logan will write the screenplay. Produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain.
In this film production, King serves primarily as the lead producer, while McClain and Branca bring their personal experiences with Michael Jackson to the project given their role as executors of his estate. This estate has been a subject of ongoing disputes due to its complex nature. Towards the latter part of his life, Michael Jackson was embroiled in allegations of pedophilia and child molestation, which were extensively covered in the documentary miniseries “Leaving Neverland“. The upcoming portrayal of these sensitive topics in “Michael” has sparked controversy since the estate asserts Jackson’s innocence, but public opinion on the matter is frequently skeptical.
Michael’s Shock Legal Issues, Explained
The Executor-Producers Missed A Major Detail
According to initial reports, the biopic aimed to address the allegations; however, it was speculated that they would present these responses in a way that supported Jackson’s innocence claim. Initially, Michael was set for release, but after showcasing early footage at CinemaCon in 2024, it was scheduled for April 2025. However, the release date has since been pushed back to October or later. The initial announcement regarding this delay did not provide a reason, but the actual cause turned out to be surprising.
Based on a report from Puck in January (written by Matthew Belloni after reading the script), the screenplay opens and concludes by referencing an investigation into Jordan Chandler that began in 1993. At that time, Chandler was only 13 years old and accused Michael Jackson of molestation. This case, which received widespread media attention, ultimately resulted in a $20 million settlement. In the original ending, Jackson is depicted as a victim, while the Chandler family is shown as a group of people seeking money and making false accusations for that purpose.
It seems that the estate didn’t fully grasp the fact that the Chandlers had made an agreement with Jackson and his crew, which prohibited any fictional portrayal of their family or story. Apparently, there’s a written contract to back this up. When going through the script, the estate missed this detail, leaving the Michael team in a predicament: they would need to rewrite the entire ending for the $150 million movie since it violated the agreement.
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Reshoots Start Soon
A major overhaul like this could halt numerous movies in their progress, but a fresh report by Puck suggests that the movie “Michael” may yet find a way to continue. To start with, director Fuqua and his crew have planned reshoots which are set to begin next week and last for three weeks. The new third act of the film has already been penned down. However, all references to Chandler have been removed from the revised script, leaving it uncertain what the updated movie will concentrate on. Under an existing contract, the estate will finance these reshoots.
The requirement for revisions implies that Michael’s project is postponed once more. As confirmed by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer, the film will miss its October 3 release date. Although it appears likely that we may see Michael in 2026, the new release date has yet to be announced. However, if the reshoots go well, the movie will still be launched.
What This Means For Michael
Will Michael Be One Or Two Movies?
It’s highly probable that Michael will be discharged, but it’s almost certain that the release won’t feature its initial form. An April report suggested that the movie might be divided into two parts to manage its nearly four-hour length. This lengthy runtime is said to include at least an hour and 45 minutes of performances by Jaafar Jackson solely. The producer, King, is pushing hard for the film to be split, and there are discussions among the cast and crew about returning to set in July to shoot additional footage for this potential second movie.
Performing these actions might bring about several potential issues. For instance, if the biopic’s version doesn’t align with what Michael’s distributors (such as Lionsgate domestically and potentially Skydance internationally) initially agreed upon, they might decide to withdraw from the project. While there’s a chance that the studios could adapt favorably to the change, if not, securing distribution could become another hurdle for a production that’s already facing difficulties.
The second Michael movie won’t be released unless the first one does well. This strategy has proven to be problematic, as shown by Kevin Costner’s Horizon movies. Studios are wary of dealing with the ongoing issues surrounding the delayed release of Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 2. Moreover, releasing multi-part biopics outside the documentary genre isn’t common, so there’s no clear path for how this could work. Even if it’s King’s desire to make a two-part Michael series, it might create additional complications.
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2025-05-30 17:29