The Michael Jackson biopic, originally set for release in April 2025 but delayed by a potentially litigious third act, will now arrive a year later in April 2026.
The Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael, starring the late singer’s nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, initially wrapped shooting in May 2024, but its initial April 18, 2025, release was postponed until October 2025 after it was revealed that the film required 22 days of reshoots.
The reshoots, it was reported, were needed due to the film’s third act, which in some way delved into the child molestation accusations against Jackson; specifically, Michael violated a legal agreement between representatives for Jackson and then-13-year-old Jordan Chandler, who accused him of molestation in 1993 and later received a $20 million settlement. As part of that agreement, Chandler’s story and personhood could never be dramatized in a film about Jackson.
As producers — which includes the Jackson estate — retooled the movie with an updated script and reshoots, Lionsgate revealed in May that, due to the amount of footage shot for the film, the biopic might be split into two movies. While the second part remains in the works, Michael will now arrive on April 24, 2026.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Michael will now focus on the first half of Jackson’s life and career, including his tenure with his brothers in the Jackson 5 and his decision to leave that group after releasing 1979’s Off the Wall.
The second film, if it is completed and released, would then cover the rest of the King of Pop’s career, including Thriller and Bad, but with a third act that sidesteps the accusations.
Alongside Jaafar Jackson, Michael stars Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as Jackson’s attorney and advisor, John Branca. Other cast members include Larenz Tate as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Laura Harrier as music executive Suzanne de Passe, and Kat Graham as Diana Ross.
