The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic has hit another roadblock.
Originally slated for an October 3, 2025 release, the film will now be delayed until sometime after April 1, 2026. Lionsgate made the announcement during its Q4 2025 earnings call, leaving fans wondering what’s behind the holdup.
Jaafar Jackson, the 27-year-old nephew of the late pop icon, is set to play Michael in what would be his first major acting role. The movie, simply titled Michael, is directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, best known for Bohemian Rhapsody. The team has reportedly shot three and a half hours of footage, but the release strategy is still being finalized.
Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer addressed the delay, explaining that the studio is excited about the footage but likely won’t release the film within the current fiscal year. This shift will impact financial projections for 2026 but is expected to strengthen the 2027 lineup.
According to Variety, the delay could be tied to the project being split into two parts, a move that would require additional work and possibly extend post-production. While principal photography wrapped back in May 2024, the script by John Logan is still being revised, and reshoots are on the horizon. The film’s production budget is estimated at around $155 million.
The cast includes a strong lineup of talent. Colman Domingo and Nia Long take on the roles of Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller plays John Branca, Jackson’s longtime attorney. Larenz Tate will portray Motown founder Berry Gordy, while Laura Harrier takes on the role of music executive Suzanne de Passe. Kat Graham is set to play Diana Ross.
Other notable cast members include Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones , the legendary producer behind Thriller, Bad, and Off the Wall.
Despite its initial buzz, Michael was noticeably absent from Lionsgate’s 2024 CinemaCon presentation. No footage was shown, which raised speculation about delays even before this latest announcement.
With fans eagerly awaiting a deep dive into the King of Pop’s life and legacy, the delay will come as a disappointment. But for a figure as iconic , and controversial, as Michael Jackson, the filmmakers seem intent on getting it right. Whether the final product ends up being one film or two, the wait continues.
Stay tuned for updates as Lionsgate is expected to confirm a new release plan in the coming weeks.
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