Things are looking a little shaky for Michael, the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua. What was once positioned as a fall 2025 tentpole release is now surrounded by whispers of delays, rewrites, and even the possibility of being split into two films. And honestly? With a life as grand, complicated, and globally impactful as Michael Jackson’s, a two-part film might just make sense.
Lionsgate has yet to make anything official, but according to Deadline, the current cut of Michael is nearing four hours—and it still doesn’t feel complete. That’s the kind of runtime that could make even die-hard fans shift in their seats. So now, the studio is reportedly weighing whether to break the film into two parts, à la Wicked.
Think about it: From Gary, Indiana to Motown magic, from Off the Wall to Thriller, to the controversy and courtrooms—Michael Jackson’s story doesn’t fit neatly into a two-hour runtime. If there’s ever been a life worth telling in cinematic chapters, it’s his.
But the big question remains: Will Michael still hit its October 3, 2025 release date?
Don’t count on it.
Not only was the film noticeably absent from Lionsgate’s flashy CinemaCon presentation—where they pulled out all the stops with Ballerina, The Housemaid, and even a surprise Weeknd performance—but there’s also a cloud of behind-the-scenes uncertainty swirling. According to reports, the third act is currently undergoing rewrites and reshoots, allegedly tied to ongoing legal issues involving one of Jackson’s accusers. That’s no small pivot.
READ: Meet the Full Cast of the Michael Jackson Biopic, ‘Michael’…So Far
Just last month, Lionsgate doubled down, insisting the film was still on schedule. But with no footage shown, no teaser released, and barely a mention of the film at one of the industry’s biggest promo events? That silence is saying a lot.
Adding fuel to the fire, insiders like Jeff Sneider are now “99 percent sure” the film won’t drop until 2026. Again, nothing’s been confirmed—but if you’re reading the tea leaves, things definitely point to a delay.
This is especially significant considering the pedigree behind the project. Michael is penned by Oscar nominee John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator) and produced by Graham King, the mastermind behind Bohemian Rhapsody. And just like he did with Queen’s Freddie Mercury, King is aiming to turn the story of one of the most iconic—and complicated—musicians of all time into a box office and awards season juggernaut.
For context, Bohemian Rhapsody also hit a few speed bumps on its road to release, but still managed to pull in over $910M worldwide and snag four Oscars. So there’s still hope for Michael, even if the journey takes a little longer.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s real-life nephew and Jermaine Jackson’s son) as the King of Pop, with Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. The stacked supporting cast includes Laura Harrier, Miles Teller, Larenz Tate, Kat Graham, Jessica Sula, Kendrick Sampson, and more. Fuqua has promised that Michael will feature over 30 of Jackson’s greatest hits, making it not just a biopic, but a musical experience.
At San Diego Comic-Con last year, Fuqua spoke about the personal nature of the project, saying:
“Michael’s music shaped my life and career. We want to explore both the artist and the man.”
But right now, it seems like that exploration is hitting a few creative and logistical roadblocks. With a rumored $250M+ budget, legal hurdles, and the sheer weight of Jackson’s legacy, Michael was never going to be an easy film to land. Still, it’s the how that’s keeping folks curious—and concerned.
Even with Lionsgate’s stacked fall 2025 lineup—including Good Fortune, a comedy from Aziz Ansari starring Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer, and Sandra Oh—there’s still room in the theatrical calendar for something major. And Michael is nothing if not major. If the film can be ready in time, awards season would be a strategic release window. But that’s a big “if.”
So what’s next? We’re in wait-and-see territory. Whether Michael moonwalks into theaters this year, next year, or gets the two-part treatment, one thing’s clear: This story isn’t over, not by a long shot.
And let’s be real—when you’re telling the story of Michael Jackson, anything less than an epic just wouldn’t do.
We’ll keep you posted as more updates drop.