Michael Jackson’s biopic gets a new release date

The upcoming biopic Michael, which is set to depict the life of pop legend Michael Jackson, is facing significant delays due to a legal issue involving a past settlement with one of Jackson’s molestation accusers. The film, initially scheduled for release in April 2025, has now been pushed back to October 2025 as the filmmakers scramble to address the issue.

Reports from Puck on January 23, 2025, reveal that major script rewrites and reshoots are underway. The problem stems from the Jackson estate overlooking a critical clause in a 1993 settlement with Jordan Chandler, a boy who had accused the King of Pop of sexual abuse. The settlement, reportedly for $25 million, included a legal stipulation that prohibited any reference or dramatization of the case. This oversight has made much of the film’s third act unusable, as Chandler’s story was a significant part of the biopic’s plot.

Despite the setbacks, a spokesperson for the project reassured People magazine that the situation is not as dire as some reports suggest. They emphasized that the film is still progressing and that reshoots are planned for March 2025.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, Michael stars Jaafar Jackson as the iconic singer, with Colman Domingo in a supporting role. The film is now set to premiere on October 3, 2025. The Jackson estate has continuously denied all allegations of abuse, and in 2005, Michael Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy & Cookies Policy