Michael Jackson Biopic Faces Delays: Could a Two-Part Strategy Save It?

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In its present form, director Antoine Fuqua’s highly anticipated biopic titled “Michael” is slated for a premiere on the 2025 movie calendar, specifically on October 3rd. So far, there has been only one postponement that shifted the film from its initial release date in April, but we had been confident about the Jaafar Jackson-led musical.

However, when whispers about legal problems surrounding Michael’s third act surfaced, his debut was thrown into doubt. Although the newest gossip doesn’t verify or refute another change, it’s possible that Michael Jackson‘s life story could attempt to emulate the success of Wicked in an innovative fashion.

Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Might Be Splitting Into Two Parts

Keeping an eye on this year’s CinemaCon events, it’s worth noting that two significant titles were missing from Tuesday’s Lionsgate panel: the presumed cancellation of “Saw XI” and a historical drama by the director of “Training Day.” Given that “Michael’s” scheduled release is currently set for October 3rd, this is somewhat troubling. However, rumors from Deadline indicate that the initial cut of the film runs roughly four hours long.

Given the financial success of “Wicked” extending a well-known musical, there’s chatter about dividing “Michael” into two parts as well. This seems logical when aiming to present Jackson’s life and era in a complete yet manageable format. If the reported legal hurdle necessitating a significant reshoot or rewrite of the final act is accurate, this could be more feasibly addressed.

Lionsgate’s Potential Two-Part Split For Michael Makes Sense, Even If The Rumors Are Debunked

It’s common knowledge that Michael completed filming earlier this year, and the excitement generated by the sneak peeks shown at CinemaCon 2024 had many eagerly awaiting its release. However, according to various sources, the possible reason for a potential delay could be linked to the legal restrictions on portraying Jordan Chandler’s sexual abuse allegations against Jackson in any manner.

The issue at hand appears to stem from allegations suggesting that the climax of Antoine Fuqua’s and John Logan’s film heavily relies on a specific event and its impact on Michael Jackson. If these claims are substantiated, significant adjustments would be necessary to rectify the situation. Given this, releasing half of the movie now and revealing the rest of the story later could serve as an effective compromise that accommodates potential changes.

Simultaneously, if these claims are untrue and Lionsgate is actually gearing up for a fresh cinematic experience instead, then the scenario where Michael gets divided into two characters remains a possible double success. The suspense generated by ending on one of Michael Jackson’s iconic songs would undoubtedly stir excitement among fans, paving the way for more anticipation in the subsequent phases.

Beyond considering, with this film potentially doubling its accolades during awards season and capitalizing on the ongoing popularity of Broadway’s MJ: The Musical, it seems plausible. However, doubts may arise when pondering what might transpire if the suggested Michael: Part One fails to meet expectations.

We’re keeping an eye out for more news since the situation is still unfolding, but in the meantime, “Michael” will premiere as a standalone movie starting October 3rd. On the other hand, “Wicked: For Good” has confirmed its performance on November 21st, as planned, where Elphaba and Glinda will join forces once more.

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2025-04-02 23:38