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The Michael Jackson biopic, titled Michael, is facing a significant release delay and major creative restructuring, with Lionsgate now eyeing a 2026 theatrical debut. Initially expected in 2025, the movie has encountered both legal hurdles and narrative revisions that have forced the studio to reconsider its schedule and approach.
During Lionsgate's fourth-quarter earnings call on May 22, CEO Jon Feltheimer acknowledged the setback, stating, "In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we're excited about the 3 hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy and timing in the next few weeks."
He added that the project will likely move out of the studio's 2025 fiscal calendar and instead contribute to fiscal 2027, which begins April 1, 2026.
This means Michael may not reach audiences until spring or later in 2026, a full year after its most recent planned release date of October 3, 2025.
Legal conflict forces reshoots and re-editing
Behind the scenes, the delay is largely attributed to a legal complication stemming from the inclusion of material related to Jordan Chandler, the boy who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse in 1993.
Jackson settled the case out of court for a reported $25 million, and that agreement included a clause preventing any dramatization or mention of the Chandler family in media portrayals.
According to a January report by Puck, this clause was overlooked in the original screenplay written by John Logan. As a result, reshoots became necessary to remove and revise key sections of the film.
Despite this, a source close to production told PEOPLE on January 24, "The Michael Jackson biopic is not in total chaos. The inflammatory headlines about the movie halting are simply not true. The film is moving forward, and reshoots are happening in March."
Though filming initially wrapped in May 2024, Lionsgate did not show any footage at this year's CinemaCon, adding to speculation that the production was facing internal challenges.
During the same May 22 call, Lionsgate film chairman Adam Fogelson confirmed that Michael will now be split into two parts, though he did not offer revised release dates for either installment.
Star power, sensitive legacy, and continued anticipation
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King - best known for Bohemian Rhapsody - Michael stars Jackson's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role.
Coleman Domingo and Nia Long play Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, while Miles Teller portrays Jackson's longtime attorney John Branca.
The film has been in the spotlight not only due to Jackson's enduring legacy but also because of renewed interest and debate surrounding the abuse allegations aired in the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland.
The Jackson estate, which remains involved in the project, has consistently denied all allegations and continues to defend Jackson's reputation through litigation and public statements.
Lionsgate has yet to issue formal comment on the updated release plan, but all signs point toward Michael becoming one of the studio's cornerstone releases for 2026 or beyond.
With reshoots underway and a split narrative structure now confirmed, the film is evolving into a larger, more complex project than initially envisioned.
While fans await the final product, the delays underscore the immense challenge of portraying a figure as celebrated - and controversial - as Michael Jackson.
As the project takes shape amid legal scrutiny and creative recalibration, Michael may yet define how biopics handle sensitive subjects and legacy preservation in a new era of filmmaking.