Michael Jackson Biopic Faces Major Reshoots: Will It Be Split Into Two Films?

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The story surrounding the disputed biopic about Michael Jackson persists, with the production helmed by Antoine Fuqua. Starring Jafaar Jackson, who is the son of Michael’s brother, Jermaine, this film has been in development for quite some time and was thought to have wrapped shooting last year. However, it appears that the problematic production will undergo a significant overhaul, as it has been announced that they will undertake extensive reshoots, referred to as “Additional Photography” – an astounding 22 days of reshoots, which is nearly enough time to shoot an entirely new film. Additionally, the release date for the movie has also been adjusted.

As a diehard fan, I recently got wind of some exciting updates about the upcoming Michael Jackson movie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it seems the production team, including me (Michael King), the Jackson Estate, and our partners at Lionsgate and Universal, are making progress despite a legal hiccup. The fact that they’re planning an additional shoot suggests that things might be moving forward.

Given that Lionsgate has previously declared this film as their biggest project ever, it doesn’t come as a shock to find out they’re pulling out all the stops. What caught my attention, though, was the rumor about the movie’s third act being in disarray. I was taken aback to learn that the Jackson Estate may have overlooked a clause in a settlement agreement, which prohibits them from portraying one of Michael’s sexual assault accusers on-screen. It certainly adds another layer of complexity to an already massive undertaking.

It appears that a significant portion of the third act revolves around a portrayal of one of Jackson’s accusers. This individual had a settlement with his estate, which stipulated that he would not be dramatized in a film about the actor’s life (as reported by Puck News in January). Originally, the movie was intended to cover the entirety of the late singer’s career, but this has proven challenging when it comes to finalizing the project. As a result, there are plans to divide it into two films instead.

According to reports, the conclusion of the upcoming movie will now shift to Michael Jackson departing from the Jackson 5 following the release of his debut solo album, “Off the Wall”. This adjustment is necessary because if the film ends prematurely, the existing content only covers half the story and requires additional scenes and plotlines for completion. The cast includes Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and Miles Teller, with Domingo praising Jafaar Jackson’s performance as “dazzling”.

Curious about seeing Jafaar Jackson rehearse “Man in the Mirror”? Find out more in the following section!

Will The Michael Jackson Biopic Show All Sides Of The Controversial Singer?

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I find myself pondering over one burning query regarding the Michael Jackson biopic: Will they truly reveal all facets of this captivating performer? The world adores him for his incredible talent, but it’s undeniable that he faced numerous sexual assault and abuse allegations in the later stages of his life. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly back in 2023, director Fuqua expressed optimism that the movie would delve into every aspect of Jackson – not just the positive aspects (which is intriguing given the film’s collaboration with and approval from Jackson’s Estate). For Fuqua, it’s all about presenting the facts as we understand them: the artist, the man, the human being – the good, the bad, and the complex.

We’re crossing our fingers that it won’t turn out that way – after all, hagiography doesn’t benefit anyone – but we won’t know the truth for certain until at least 2026, and possibly not until 2027.

The Hollywood Reporter

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2025-05-24 03:34