The Michael Jackson biopic may be split into two separate films.
The biopic titled ‘Michael’ will tell the story of the King of Pop’s life as he rose to worldwide stardom. Playing the role of Jackson will be his own nephew Jaafar Jackson. The film had a $155 million budget, and wrapped filming in May of 2024.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, sources close to the project have said that director Antoine Fuqua and other executives at Lionsgate are considering splitting the biopic into two parts.
It’s been said that the current cut of the film is approaching on four hours and executives are hesitant to cut parts of Jackson's story out. While the split is not confirmed, it would likely delay the film's October 3rd release in the US. ‘Michael’ has yet to be given a worldwide release date.
Very little information has been released about the film. The trailer was shown to critics at last year's CinemaCon and was reportedly well received. Though no trailer has been released to the public yet.
The production reportedly hit a speed bump in January and had to refilm their entire third act which was said to have included sexual abuse allegations that the singer’s estate has banned from being dramatised.
In 1990, the 'Thriller' star was accused of child molestation by the family of the then 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. In 1994 Jackson paid out the family $20 million with no admission of guilt. Jackson infamously stood trial in 2005 on another claim of molestation and was acquitted of all charges. The Jackson Estate was adamant that the biopic not include any mentions of Chandler or the alleged child molestation.
Dan Reed, the director of ‘Leaving Neverland’, a documentary about the child sex abuse allegations against Jackson, has criticised the biopic saying it will only “glorify a man who raped children”.
Joining Jaafar Jackson, the cast will include Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Miles Teller as manager John Branca, Kat Graham as Diana Ross and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones.
