Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson Biopic Grapples with Legal Challenges but Presses Forward
The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, titled Michael, has found itself under scrutiny as reports suggest that significant reshoots are necessary due to legal complications.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced in collaboration with Michael Jackson’s estate, the $155 million project had completed filming in May 2024. However, according to a recent report from Puck News, a legally binding settlement with one of Jackson’s former accusers has thrown a wrench in the production's plans, resulting in extensive rewrites and reshoots for the film's third act.
The Legal Hurdle Behind the Reshoots
The issue stems from a settlement Jackson reached in 1993 with the family of a thirteen-year-old boy who accused the singer of sexual abuse. As part of the agreement, the family and the accuser cannot be mentioned or dramatized in any film or media portrayal. Unfortunately, the settlement clause appears to have been overlooked during the script’s initial vetting process by the Jackson estate.
John Logan’s original script reportedly used elements of the allegations and subsequent settlement as a key narrative thread, described as the “backbone” of the film. With this binding legal agreement now brought to light, the entire third act of the movie—already filmed—has been deemed unusable, presenting the production team with what one source called a “nightmare scenario.”
Conflicting Reports: Chaos or Controlled Adjustments?
Despite the dramatic headlines, sources close to the production downplayed the severity of the situation. A production insider clarified that the biopic is not in a state of disarray:
“The Michael Jackson biopic is not in total chaos. The inflammatory headlines about the movie halting are simply not true. The film is moving forward, and reshoots are happening in March.”
This suggests that while the situation is less than ideal, the production team has a plan in place to address the issue and keep the film on track.
What We Know About the Cast and Release Date
Michael stars Jaafar Jackson, the real-life nephew of Michael Jackson, in the titular role. The cast also includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as the late singer’s lawyer. The biopic, which aims to explore both the triumphs and controversies of Jackson’s life, is still slated for an October 3rd, 2025, release under Lionsgate and Universal.
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Source: Dark Horizons
Photo Credit: Michael Jackson
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