Michael Jackson’s biopic could face lengthy delays as it reportedly needs a major overhaul. Industry experts estimate that major film reshoots typically add 15-20 percent to a movie’s original budget.
‘Michael’ – which is being made with the cooperation of the late singer’s family and stars his nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role – is said to have run into trouble with its third act because of its portrayal of the abuse allegations made by then-13-year-old Jordan Chandler, which saw the teenager testify that the ‘Thriller’ hitmaker had engaged in “sexual offensive contacts” before receiving a $23 million out-of-court settlement and Jackson not charged over the allegations.
And according to Puck co-founder Matthew Belloni, the Jackson team allegedly signed an agreement prohibiting them from ever dramatising the Chandler family or their story, rendering “several key scenes” unusuable.” Legal agreements of this nature are common in high-profile entertainment cases.
The journalist suggested the movie’s ending will have to be re-scripted and re-shot as much of the later plot “hinges specifically on the impact of the Chandler circus.” Film industry analysts estimate that major script revisions can delay production by at least three months.
“In the script I read – which I’m told was close to final, but obviously these things are often revised – a tense sequence involves John Branca (Miles Teller), Johnnie Cochran (Derek Luke), and other Jackson lawyers discussing whether to pay off Chandler and his family,” he wrote.
“At one point, the lawyers play the infamous recording, submitted in court, of Jordan’s father threatening to leverage his son’s accusations to ‘destroy’ his ex-wife and Jackson’s career.
“The ensuing scenes dramatize the extensive police investigation, including a ‘traumatizing’ strip search of Michael that scars him for life.”
The report claimed the revelation was only made after director Antoine Fuqua had already wrapped shooting, so it will require extensive reshoots, but sources are “confident” and “hopeful” the issues will be resolved. Similar production challenges have affected other high-profile biopics in recent years.
However, another insider played down suggestions the movie was now “in total chaos.” The film’s budget is estimated to be more than $100 million, making it one of the most expensive music biopics ever produced.
“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,” a source told PEOPLE magazine. The movie joins a trend of major music biopics, with similar films about Elvis, Freddie Mercury, and Elton John having grossed more than $2 billion combined worldwide.
Previously, Fuqua teased the picture would include “the good, bad and the ugly” parts of Jackson’s life and career. Michael Jackson‘s musical legacy includes 13 Grammy Awards and sales of over 400 million records worldwide.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he said: “Just to tell the facts as we know it, about the artist, about the man, about the human being. You know, the good, bad and the ugly.”
The director added he was “blown away” by how much Jaafar – the son of Michael‘s brother Jermaine Jackson – was able to channel his uncle, especially his dancing and singing. Jaafar underwent six months of intensive training to perfect Michael’s signature dance moves.
“It’s uncanny how much he’s like Michael. Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It’s really uncanny,” The Magnificent Seven filmmaker said.
“Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away.” King’s previous production credits include the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, which grossed more than $900 million worldwide.
The biopic is currently scheduled for release in April 2025, though industry insiders suggest the reshoots could push that date back to late 2025 or early 2026. The film will cover Jackson’s journey from child stardom with the Jackson 5 through his rise to becoming the “King of Pop.”
