Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” is likely to be delayed until sometime in 2026.
Participating in a fourth quarter earnings call, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer offered a brief update on the film starring Jackson’s real life nephew Jaafar Jackson as Michael.
He seems to confirm that the project currently clocks in at a very long runtime, three-and-a-half hours, and that the move out of this year is likely:
“In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we’re excited about the 3½ hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy & timing in the next few weeks. I would note that it is likely we will move ‘Michael’ out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal ’26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal ’27 slate.”
Fiscal ’26 ends on March 31st 2026, so these comments indicate the film won’t be seen until after April 1st 2026 – at least six months from the previously announced October 3rd 2025 release.
Last month it was reported the film is likely to be split into two parts, but that was not confirmed in the earnings call. John Logan’s script is reportedly in the process of being revised in advance of reshoots for the film which already carries a $155 million budget.
Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Larenz Tate, Laura Harrier, Kendrick Sampson, Liv Symone, Jessica Sula, Kevin Shinick and Kat Graham co-star.
Source: Variety
