Lionsgate is releasing the Michael Jackson biopic earlier than planned, which is good news for fans. The studio hopes the film will be as successful as other popular musical biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis, and Rocketman. However, some fans are worried about the film’s quality, as it underwent significant reshoots last summer – a full 22 days – to rework the final part of the story.
First reactions to the new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, will be shared on social media this Friday, April 10th, according to a post from Embargo Lifts For. This is two weeks before the film hits theaters on April 24th. The early release of these reactions suggests Lionsgate is very confident in the movie and believes it will be well-received.
Initial reactions to the film will be available soon, with the first complete reviews of Michael coming out on Tuesday, April 21st. This is one day before the film begins showing in select premium formats with limited early access.
- Social Reactions Embargo – Friday, April 10 at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET
- Full Reviews Embargo – Tuesday, April 21 at 6 a.m. PT/9 p.m. ET
- Limited Early Access Fan Screenings – Wednesday, April 22
- U.S. Release Date – Friday, April 24
Traditionally, movie studios share early reviews for films they believe are strong, hoping good buzz will build excitement leading up to the release. However, the opposite can also happen, as recently seen with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Letting reactions come out just days before release backfired, resulting in negative feedback from both fans and critics.
Michael’s Post-Production Journey Still Rings Some Alarm Bells
Lionsgate significantly altered the film Michael after filming was completed. They removed a substantial plotline concerning allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer following a legal agreement with one of his accusers, as reported by Variety.
These changes pushed back the release of Michael by a year, from April 2025, and necessitated 22 days of additional filming to complete the ending and expand on earlier scenes.
Variety reports that about 30% of the footage that didn’t make it into the Michael biopic could be used for a potential sequel, if the film performs well. Lionsgate is aiming for worldwide box office earnings of over $700 million, and Michael is expected to be among the year’s top ten highest-grossing movies.
The current cut of the Michael documentary is a little over two hours long, significantly shorter than the initial 3.5 hours of footage – even before any additional filming took place. While Michael Jackson’s story is certainly compelling enough for a movie, the extensive changes being made during post-production are causing some worry.
With movie audiences being so unpredictable these days, positive buzz is crucial for a film’s success. While the popularity of Michael Jackson will certainly help, it might not guarantee a hit. Lionsgate and fans are hoping the movie, Michael, lives up to the promising reactions it’s received so far.
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2026-04-07 23:04