Michael Jackson’s biopic may be split into two movies. The decision reflects the unprecedented scope of material covering the King of Pop’s extraordinary career and cultural impact worldwide.
‘Michael’ – which is being made with the cooperation of the late singer’s family and stars his nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role – had been due for release next year but it has now been pushed back into 2027, and studio Lionsgate have admitted there is so much material to cover, they are exploring options as to whether it should stay as one film or become a multi-part story. Jackson’s estate continues to generate substantial revenue annually, demonstrating his enduring commercial appeal across generations.
“At the end, when you look at the music library, when you look at what Michael Jackson was able to deliver in terms of music and contributions to art, whether or not that can be fit into one movie comfortably or not is a question that we are absolutely asking,” during a call about quarterly earnings, Deadline reported Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson said. Jackson’s catalog includes numerous chart-topping hits and groundbreaking music videos that revolutionized the entertainment industry.
“We’ll be ready to answer more specifically in the coming weeks.”
Adam’s comments came in response to a question about why the film had been delayed, noting CEO Jon Feltheimer had referenced a three-and-a-half hour cut in his opening remarks. This runtime would position it among the longest biographical films ever produced, requiring careful consideration of pacing and audience engagement.
“Any number of the biggest motion pictures over the last ten or 20 years have had first cuts of movies that were well in excess three and a half hours,” Adam added. “And when Jon mentioned the footage, it wasn’t a cut, it was an accumulation of scenes that we’ve seen.” Recent successful multi-part films have proven audiences’ appetite for extended storytelling when the content justifies the length.
“In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we’re excited about the 3½ 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,” Jon had explained the film was being pushed back during the conference call. “I would note that it is likely we will move Michael out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal ’26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal 27 slate.”
Adam said the reasons for the delay are “twofold and kind of out there”, with the length being one and while he didn’t address the other, it was previously reported the movie had required extensive reshoots for legal reasons. Legal complications in biographical productions have become increasingly common as estates and families exercise greater control over their narratives.
In January, the film was 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 the late singer not charged over the allegations. The Chandler case remains one of the most controversial and legally sensitive aspects of Jackson’s complex legacy.
And according to Puck co-founder Matthew Belloni, the Jackson team allegedly signed an agreement prohibiting them from ever dramatizing the Chandler family or their story, rendering “several key scenes” unusuable”. 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”. Such contractual restrictions highlight the ongoing legal sensitivities surrounding Jackson‘s life story.
“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”. These events occurred during a pivotal period in Jackson’s career, adding complexity to the biographical narrative.
The report claimed the revelation was only made after director Antoine Fuqua had already wrapped shooting, so will require extensive reshoots, but sources are “confident” and “hopeful” the issues will be resolved. Fuqua brings extensive experience in handling complex character studies and dramatic narratives to the project. Industry insiders suggest the reshoots represent a significant production challenge, potentially affecting the film’s budget and timeline while ensuring legal compliance and artistic integrity.
