The Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, from Lionsgate is heading back to the lab for some more work. According to THR, the film is getting some new work done with 22 days of additional photography this June. The cause of the new shooting is coming off the heels of a legal issue and the idea to split the movie into two parts.
Sources are saying that there’s a script that needs to be finalized for a potential second film, the reshoots would be for the first film. This isn’t necessarily pickup shots like normal reshoots are, this is more like taking half of a film and expanding it into a feature-length one. The new film will likely end with Michael Jackson leaving the Jackson 5 after the release of his first solo album, Off The Wall. THR is also reporting that Bubbles the chimpanzee will be in the first film.
Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars the nephew of Michael Jackson, Jaafar Jackson, as Michael. It also stars Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller.
Why Is There A Delay For Michael?
The reported legal action and issues with the film come from the multiple accusations of child sexual abuse in Jackson’s later life. The previously planned third act of the film needed to be reworked. It was set to feature a dramatization of one of his accusers, who had previously made a settlement with his estate that guaranteed he would never be featured in a dramatization. This is why the movie is being split into two films so they can work out a new ending for the whole story.
The film has already moved off its current release date to a new on in 2026. Details on specifics should arrive in the coming weeks. This would be the second delay for the film when it was previously announced to release in April 2025. According to sources, the film has already shot three-and-a-half hours of footage.
We’ll keep you updated on Michael as we get more information.
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Source: THR
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