Sources tell that this extensive shoot indicates progress in the project, which has faced multiple hurdles. Producer Graham King, the Jackson estate, and studio partners Lionsgate and Universal are currently considering splitting the film into two parts, amid ongoing legal complications. While a second film’s script remains in development, the upcoming June shoot will focus on expanding the first film, rather than simply reshooting scenes. The new version is expected to conclude with Jackson leaving The Jackson 5 after releasing his debut solo album, Off the Wall — a pivotal moment in his career. Notably, Bubbles the chimpanzee will also appear in this segment.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, portraying the King of Pop. The cast also includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller. The film explores Jackson’s rise to fame with hits like “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Smooth Criminal,” but has faced controversy due to past child sexual abuse allegations. These allegations complicated the story’s third act; a dramatization involving a past accuser with a settlement agreement was deemed problematic and required reworking. Originally planned as a single comprehensive film covering Jackson’s entire life and career, producers now aim to split it into two movies to better address legal and narrative issues.
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer announced during a quarterly earnings call that the release has been pushed to 2026, with an official date forthcoming. The project was previously delayed from an initial April 2025 release to October 2025, and now faces further adjustments. Director Fuqua and producer King have already shot over three-and-a-half hours of footage, indicating substantial progress on this high-profile biopic.
