The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic titled Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, is expected to be delayed to 2026, according to a Variety report.
CEO Confirms Possible Delay
During Lionsgate’s fourth-quarter earnings call for fiscal year 2025, CEO Jon Feltheimer gave an update about the much-anticipated film. He said the studio was thrilled with the footage shot so far and hinted that the release could be pushed to a later date.
“In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we’re excited about the 3 1/2 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,” Feltheimer said, as quoted by Variety. “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.” Since the fiscal year ends on March 31, 2026, Feltheimer’s comment suggests the film will likely release sometime after April 1, 2026.
Initial Release Plans Shift
Originally, the biopic was scheduled to hit theatres on October 3, 2025. However, last month Variety reported that the studio might split the film into two parts and postpone the release. The delay would move it beyond the original date and into the next fiscal year.
Production Progress and Script Revisions
Even though the main filming was completed in May 2024, the movie isn’t quite finished. According to Variety, screenwriter John Logan is currently revising the script, and reshoots are expected to follow.
Michael was a highlight at Lionsgate’s CinemaCon presentation in 2023, but no new footage was shown during the 2024 event.
Star-Studded Cast
The film features Jaafar Jackson—Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew—in the lead role, marking his screen debut. Other well-known actors have also joined the cast:
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Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
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Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
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Miles Teller as John Branca, Jackson’s lawyer and advisor
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Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records
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Laura Harrier as music executive Suzanne de Passe
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Kat Graham as music legend Diana Ross
Additional cast members include:
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Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson
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Liv Symone as Gladys Knight
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Kevin Shinick as TV host Dick Clark
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KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, Jackson’s former bodyguard and trusted friend
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Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones played a major role in Michael Jackson’s career, having collaborated with him on three of his most iconic albums: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987).
