The new Michael Jackson biopic, тιтled Michael, receives a disappointing update. Originally scheduled to arrive on April 18, 2025, the release date has been previously pushed to October 3, 2025, due to production changes. The new biopic stars Jackson’s nephew, Jafaar Jackson, as the King of Pop, with a script by three-time Oscar nominee John Logan.

Produced by Oscar-winner Graham King (The Departed), the film is directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer).

According to a press release shared by Lionsgate, Michael is now expected to arrive in theaters worldwide in IMAX on April 24, 2026, offering an intimate look at the life and legacy of Jackson. Joining Jafaar in the cast are Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael, Colman Domingo as Michael’s father, Nia Long as Michael’s mother, Miles Teller as John Branca, Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Pᴀsse, and many more.

What This Means For Michael

Michael’s Delay Was Expected

While the reason for the delay wasn’t specified in the press release this time, it has been hinted at in previous updates. In May, Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson revealed that they’re considering splitting Michael into two films, with the footage being three and a half hours long. Regarding the delay, the studio head shared that the reason was twofold, and length was one of them.

The screenplay was reportedly approved by the estate to shoot and include Jordan Chandler. The then-13-year-old accused the “Thriller” singer of molestation in the early 1990s. While Jackson settled for $20 million, he didn’t admit guilt. However, it appeared that there was an agreement for him not to be included. As a result, the scheduled Michael Jackson biopic likely had to go through some significant revisions.

Our Take On Michael’s Delay

Michael Remains One Movie, And It’s Coming To Theaters Soon

Given the previous updates on Michael‘s production status, a delay is expected. The fact that the release date was only pushed back by half a year suggests that the film is near the finish line. It’s also worth noting that while the studio previously expressed the possibilities of splitting the movie in half, the new update didn’t mention the change, which means the biopic might not end up as a two-part film.

Michael is expected to follow Lee Cronin’s The Mummy and 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank on April 17, with The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Animal Friends arriving on May 1. So far, there are no other major releases on April 24, which means the new date potentially offers a better release window for the epic biopic to achieve success.

Source: Lionsgate