The name of the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic title ‘Michael’ will now be in theaters worldwide, including IMAX, on April 24, 2026, Lionsgate and Universal Pictures confirmed. Originally scheduled for October 3, 2025, the film was previously declared for April 18, 2025, released before going through several changes.
Lionsgate will distribute the film domesticly in the US, while Universal Pictures will handle the international release except Japan, where Kino Films will release the film, as reported by the Variety.
Why did Michael Jackson’s biopic delay?
According to reports, the delay was mainly caused by rehabilitation and the material was required to edit the material tied with legal sensitivity. The production originally included references to Jordan Chandler, 13, who accused Jackson of tampering in 1993. In 1994, the pop icon dropped the case out of the court without accepting the crime.
Although John Logan’s screenplay was approved by Jackson’s property and was shot with the role of Chandler, the filmmakers were later informed that Chandler could not be included, causing rehabilitation and script to change after the production wrapped in May 2024.
Additionally, the film’s first cut lasted more than 3.5 hours, inspiring internal discussions about trimming the runtime and possibly released a biopic in two parts to make it more accessible to the audience.
Here we know about the team behind the film
Directed by Antony Fukeva, the film stars Jafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real -life nephew, in the lead role. Fukewa is known for training day, while Oscar winning manufacturer Graham King, who has distributed the global hit Bohemian rapsodi, is producing. The screenplay is written by John Logan, a three -time Oscar with credits such as Gladiator and Aviator.
Artists include:
- Joe Jackson as Callman Domingo
- Nia long as Catherine Jackson
- Miles Taylor as John Branka
- Larez Tate as Berry Gourdi
- Suzanne Day Passay as Laura Harrier
- Kat Graham Diana Ross
- Jessica Sula La Toya as Jackson
- Live Simone as Gladis Night
- Kandric Sampson as Quincy Jones
- Kevin Shinik Dick Clarke
- Kelin Durel Jones as Bill Bray
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