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Michael (2025 film)

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 14 min

Michael
Directed byAntoine Fuqua
Written byJohn Logan
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDion Beebe
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • October 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$155 million[3]

Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film based on the life of the American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film stars Jaafar Jackson, Jackson's nephew, in his film debut as Michael Jackson. The ensemble cast also features Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Derek Luke.

Development of a film about Michael Jackson began in November 2019, when Deadline reported that Graham King had secured the rights to produce a film about the singer, with Logan scheduled to be responsible for writing the screenplay. After the film's official announcement in 2022, casting began in January 2023, while Fuqua was announced as the director that month. Casting ended in April 2024, while filming, which was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, took place from January to May 2024.

Michael is scheduled for release in the United States on October 3, 2025, by Lionsgate, and by Universal Pictures internationally, after being delayed from its original April 18 release date.

Premise

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The film follows Michael Jackson's life and career from his time with the Jackson 5 as a child in the 1960s and 1970s to his final weeks before his death in 2009.[4]

Cast

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Production

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Development and casting

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In November 2019, Deadline reported that Graham King had secured the rights to produce a film about Michael Jackson, with John Logan responsible for writing the screenplay, but it was still “not set up at a studio at this point”.[5] In February 2022, the movie was officially announced with Lionsgate set up as the studio responsible for the film, owning the global distribution rights.[6] In October 2023, Lionsgate announced that Universal Pictures “will serve as the international distributor for the Michael Jackson biopic”.[7] In July 2024, Deadline reported that Tokyo-based Kino Films has struck a deal with Lionsgate and GK Films to distribute Michael in Japan.[8]

Casting began in June, with Kimberly Hardin as the casting director. Production was expected to start in 2023.[9] In January 2023, Antoine Fuqua was announced as the director.[10] Casting began that month, with Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson announced to play Jackson.[11] In January 2024, the newcomer Juliano Krue Valdi was cast as a young Michael,[12] as well as Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson,[13] and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson.[14] Also that month, Miles Teller was reported to be in talks to play one of Jackson's attorneys.[15] In February, Teller was confirmed to play John Branca.[16] The cast for the rest of the Jackson 5 were announced later that month,[17] with Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, Jessica Sula, Liv Symone, Kevin Shinick, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and Kendrick Sampson being added to portray Suzanne de Passe, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, La Toya Jackson, Gladys Knight, Dick Clark, Bill Bray, and Quincy Jones in March.[18][19] In April 2024, Derek Luke was added to the cast as Johnnie Cochran.[20]

Writing

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The screenplay includes content regarding child sexual abuse accusations against Jackson, with King saying that he wanted to "humanize but not sanitize and present the most compelling, unbiased story".[21]

Filming

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Principal photography was scheduled to begin in mid-2023 over 80 days in Santa Barbara, California, and was projected to spend $120 million on crew wages and vendors, according to the California Film Commission.[22] Filming was delayed in September 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[23]

Filming began on January 22, 2024, and ended on May 30, 2024.[24][25] Dion Beebe was the cinematographer, Barbara Ling the production designer, and Marci Rodgers the costume designer.[26]

Post-production

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In January 2025, it was reported that the third act would be reshot, due to the film not being able to legally showcase the alleged victim of the 1993 sexual abuse allegations Jordan Chandler, however these reports were denied by Lionsgate who told Variety that the film is still on track to release in October with no truth to the claims brought forward regarding the allegations causing a potential delay of the film or issues with the script.[27][28] A source close to the production told People, "The Michael Jackson biopic is not in total chaos. The inflammatory headlines about the moving halting are simply not true. The film is moving forward, and reshoots are happening in March."[29] According to Lionsgate during their annual earnings call, production for the film was nearing its completion as of February 6, 2025.[30] In April 2025, it was reported that film could possibly be divided into two parts due to the current 4 hour runtime, and that the October 2025 release date was in flux.[31]

Release

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Michael will be distributed by Lionsgate in the United States on October 3, 2025,[32] and Universal Pictures internationally (except for Japan).[33] It was previously scheduled to be released on April 18.[34] A first look was shown to theatre-owners at CinemaCon on April 10, 2024, to positive reception.[35]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 18, 2024). "Lionsgate Finds Young Michael Jackson In Juliano Krue Valdi For Antoine Fuqua's 'Michael'". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  2. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 18, 2024). "'Michael': Kino Films To Distribute Michael Jackson Biopic In Japan". Deadline. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  3. ^ "Michael Jackson Biopic Likely Splitting into Two Movies and Delaying Release Date". Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  4. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 7, 2022). "Michael Jackson Biopic Michael From Producer Graham King & Scribe John Logan Lands At Lionsgate". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  5. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 22, 2019). "Michael Jackson's Life Getting Movie Treatment; The Aviator's Graham King & John Logan Reteam, And MJ Estate Aboard". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 7, 2022). "Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' From Producer Graham King & Scribe John Logan Lands At Lionsgate". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  7. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 3, 2023). "Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' To Be Released Internationally By Universal". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  8. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (July 18, 2024). "'Michael': Kino Films To Distribute Michael Jackson Biopic In Japan". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
  9. ^ Welch, Rebecca (June 15, 2022). "Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic, Michael, Is Casting for Its Star". Backstage. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Davis, Clayton (January 18, 2023). "Antoine Fuqua to Direct Michael Jackson Biopic for Lionsgate, Set to Begin Shooting This Year". Variety. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (January 30, 2023). "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar to Star in Biopic Michael". Variety. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  12. ^ Anthony, D'Alessandro (January 18, 2024). "Lionsgate Finds Young Michael Jackson in Juliano Krue Valdi for Antoine Fuqua's Michael". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  13. ^ Vlessing, Etan (January 25, 2024). "Colman Domingo to Play Michael Jackson's Father in Biopic". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Anthony, D'Alessandro (January 30, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Michael Sets Nia Long As Matriarch Katherine Jackson". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  15. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2024). "Miles Teller Circling Lionsgate & Universal Michael Jackson Biopic Michael". The Wrap. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  16. ^ Chitwood, Adam (February 6, 2024). "Miles Teller to Play Michael Jackson Attorney John Branca in Biopic". The Wrap. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (February 27, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Casts Its Jackson 5". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  18. ^ Donnelly, Matt (March 6, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Laura Harrier as Pioneering Music Exec Suzanne de Passe (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  19. ^ Jackson, Angelique (March 25, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Adds Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy". Variety. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  20. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 23, 2024). "Derek Luke To Play Johnnie Cochran In Lionsgate's 'Michael'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  21. ^ Vary, Adam B. (March 13, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Team Touts 'Unbiased' Look at Pop Star; 'Leaving Neverland' Director Calls Script Draft 'Startlingly Disingenuous'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 13, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Sakoui, Anousha (March 6, 2023). "Michael Jackson biopic to spend a record $120 million in California under state tax credit program". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  23. ^ "Director Antoine Fuque says he is readying for Michael Jackson movie". Salamanca Press. September 12, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  24. ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 11, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Set for 2025 Release". Variety. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  25. ^ Peralta, Diego (May 31, 2024). "Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson Biopic Gets a Big Update". Collider. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  26. ^ D'Alessasndro, Anthony (January 11, 2024). "Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson Biopic Gets Global Release Date Via Lionsgate & Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  27. ^ Shafer, Ellise (March 18, 2025). "'Leaving Neverland' Director on Making a Sequel About Michael Jackson Allegations: 'My Goal Is Not to Knock Him Off His Pedestal — It Never Has Been'". Variety. Retrieved March 19, 2025. A source close to production denies this (report by Puck), and tells Variety that characterization is Reed's "personal opinion", and that, "the script never portrayed the Chandlers in the way Mr. Reed has opined".
  28. ^ Mathai, Jeremy (January 24, 2025). "Michael Jackson Movie Reshooting Entire Third Act Amid Behind-The-Scenes Drama". /Film. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  29. ^ VanHoose, Benjamin (January 24, 2025). "Michael Jackson Biopic Needs Major Reshoots After Discovery of Past Legal Agreement with Molestation Accuser: Report". People. Archived from the original on January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
  30. ^ "Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (LGF.A) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript | Seeking Alpha". seekingalpha.com. Retrieved February 7, 2025. Ruben Fleischer just showed us an exciting new director's cut of the third installment of Now You See Me extending a franchise whose first two films grossed nearly $700 million at the worldwide box office. And we're well on our way to completing production on our highly anticipated event movie, Michael.
  31. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 2, 2025). "Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' Could Be Split Into Two Parts; Release Date In Flux – The Dish". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  32. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 5, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Moonwalks To Fall 2025, Aziz Ansari's 'Good Fortune' Eyes Luck There Too: Lionsgate Release Dates". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  33. ^ Grobar, Matt (October 3, 2023). "Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic Michael To Be Released Internationally By Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  34. ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 11, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Set for 2025 Release". Variety. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  35. ^ Rubin, Rebecca; Lang, Brent (April 10, 2024). "Michael Jackson Biopic Trailer Electrifies CinemaCon With Moonwalking King of Pop, 'Thriller' Performance and More". Variety. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
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