Michael, the Lionsgate and Universal biopic feature about Michael Jackson, has been delayed to next year. This is the second delay that the movie has suffered. It was originally slated to come out on April 18, 2025, but the release date got postponed until October 3, 2025.
Michael Jackson biopic movie moved to April 2026 release date
Lionsgate and Universal Pictures’ Michael will now debut in theaters on Friday, April 24, 2025. As per Deadline, there are multiple factors that have caused the delay, one being the length of the movie. The first cut of Michael is reportedly longer than three and a half hours and allegedly featured references to Jordan Chandler.
Notably, Jordan Chandler’s father, Evan Chandler, accused Jackson of sexually abusing Jordan, who was 13 years old at the time, in 1993. These allegations led to criminal investigations against Jackson and a civil lawsuit, which was settled out of court. (via ABC News)
John Logan, who penned the screenplay for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000), wrote the screenplay for Michael. It was approved by Jackson’s estate. The movie subsequently went into production, and the narrative reportedly included Jordan at the time. However, people involved with the project apparently later discovered that an agreement was already in place not to include Jordan in the movie. As a result, the filmmakers had to rework the material.
Antoine Fuqua is the director of Michael. He previously helmed the 2001 crime thriller Training Day. The cast includes Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, and Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe. Jaafar is Michael Jackson’s nephew (son of his older brother Jermaine).
The logline for Michael reads, “An in-depth portrayal of Michael Jackson, a complicated man, who became the King of Pop. The biopic will bring to life Jackson’s most iconic performances as it gives an informed insight into the entertainer’s artistic process and personal life.”
Michael is reportedly the only major studio release that week in the U.S. so far.
Originally reported by Tamal Kundu on ComingSoon.
