Hollywood’s latest high-profile biopic just hit another speed bump. “Michael,” the much-anticipated film about pop legend Michael Jackson, won’t be moonwalking into theaters until April 24, 2026 — marking the project’s third release date shuffle.
The delay speaks volumes about the monumental task of capturing the King of Pop’s legacy on screen. Word from inside the production suggests director Antoine Fuqua’s first cut ran well over three hours — hardly surprising given Jackson’s meteoric rise from child prodigy to global phenomenon.
But there’s more to the story than just runtime challenges. The Jackson estate’s involvement has sparked some fascinating behind-the-scenes drama. Sources close to the production reveal that early versions included references to Jordan Chandler and the notorious 1994 settlement — content that didn’t sit well with the estate’s gatekeepers. The resulting negotiations have led to additional filming and careful recalibration of the narrative.
Despite these hurdles, “Michael” boasts some serious creative firepower. Three-time Oscar nominee John Logan’s handling the screenplay, while Graham King (fresh off the massive success of “Bohemian Rhapsody”) sits in the producer’s chair. Perhaps most intriguingly, Jaafar Jackson — Michael’s own nephew — will step into those iconic penny loafers. Talk about keeping it in the family.
The new release window looks pretty smart, actually. Sandwiched between a Blumhouse horror revival and a questionable “Devil Wears Prada” sequel, “Michael” should have plenty of breathing room to find its audience. Plus, that IMAX treatment promises to make those legendary dance sequences absolutely pop.
Sure, some folks might raise eyebrows at another delay, but complex productions often benefit from extra polish. The continued backing of both Lionsgate and Universal (with Universal handling global distribution except in Japan) suggests the suits aren’t sweating the timeline.
Here’s where things get really interesting — rumor has it another Jackson project’s brewing somewhere in Hollywood. Details are scarce, but the mere existence of a potential competing vision underscores the endless fascination with Jackson’s story.
Let’s face it — condensing the tale of a musical genius who transformed pop culture, faced serious allegations, and lived a life stranger than fiction… well, that’s no small feat. Whether “Michael” can thread the needle between celebration and honest examination remains one of next year’s most compelling entertainment questions. The extended timeline might just be exactly what this complicated story needs.
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