Michael Jackson biopic has release date DELAYED

by · Mail Online

The hotly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic starring the King of Pop's nephew Jaafar Jackson has had its release date pushed back by six months.

Michael was originally set for release on April 18, 2025 but Lionsgate announced Tuesday the film will hit theaters months later on Oct. 3, 2025, per THR. 

The movie also stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long in the roles of Jackson's parents Joe and Katherine Jackson. Rounding out the cast include Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate and Jessica Sula.

The film is expected to cover all aspects of Jackson's life and career, including his legal issues.

Among them include the 1993 lawsuit he settled accusing him of sexual abuse of a child, which he eventually settled. He also faced trial in Santa Barbara, California in 2005 in connection with separate claims of child sexual abuse, of which he was acquitted.

The hotly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic starring the King of Pop's nephew Jaafar Jackson has had its release date pushed back by six months - Jaafar pictured  
Jackson was pictured performing in June of 1987 - he died aged 50 in 2009

Lionsgate comedy Good Fortune which stars Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh and Keanu Reeves will debut October 17 2025. 

Michael is garnering huge expectations from the studio.

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Michael Jackson's biopic Michael will be 'the biggest movie we've ever had,' studio exec predicts

'I think that'll be the biggest movie we've ever had,' said Lionsgate president of worldwide television distribution Jim Packer while speaking at a symposium for Gabelli Media & Entertainment Symposium, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Packer said that hype was high for the forthcoming film, which is which is directed by Antoine Fuqua.

'The buzz that we're getting every time a photo gets released is kind of crazy,' Packer said of the motion picture, which comes on the heels of biopics about other musical icons such as Elvis Presley, Elton John and Freddie Mercury.

Packer said during the session that Lionsgate is going to focus on intellectual property and 'produce [and] distribute film and TV' projects.

Packer said Lionsgate is going to focus on intellectual property and 'produce [and] distribute film and TV' projects. 

Jaafar, who is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, has been busy in recent months with production on the motion picture.

He filmed scenes for the biopic last month in Los Angeles, recreating the iconic video for Thriller; in May in downtown Los Angeles; and in Encino, California in March.  

The film is expected to cover all aspects of Jackson's life and career, including his legal issues. He faced trial in Santa Maria, California in 2005 in connection with claims of child sexual abuse, of which he was acquitted 
Jackson was pictured onstage on London in 1987 
Michael was originally set for release on April 18, 2025 but Lionsgate announced Tuesday the film will hit theaters months later on Oct. 3, 2025, per THR - Jaafar  pictured in the film

A trailer for the film aired to a strong reaction in April at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Variety reported, as the preview was part of Lionsgate's showcase to movie theater owners.

In the preview, a voice attributed to that of his mother Katherine Jackson could be heard telling her son, 'There might be some people who think you're different and that's gonna make life a little harder for you.

'But you never were like anyone else - Michael, you have a very special light - so make that light shine onto the world.'

A voice attributed to Michael Jackson is heard saying, 'When I'm not onstage everything feels foreign to me.'

Ahead of the cinematic showcase, the film's producer Graham King said the movie would be 'an inside look at the most prolific artist who ever lived' as 'there are elements of drama, intrigue and emotional states.'

King said he's been working on this film for seven years and conducted hundreds of interviews in an effort to get the best insights for the forthcoming project.

The film is expected to cover all aspects of Jackson's life and career, including his legal issues.

Jaafar showed he had nailed his late uncle's signature dance moves as he posed on his toes, while clad in a black hat, suit and white top; Michael pictured in 1988

Among them include the 1993 lawsuit he settled accusing him of sexual abuse of a child, which he eventually settled. He also faced trial in Santa Barbara, California in 2005 in connection with separate claims of child sexual abuse, of which he was acquitted.

King said the film will 'get into all of it,' adding that 'behind the unrelenting scrutiny and the accusations and the spotlight, he was simply a man - a man with a very complicated life.'

King said people told him he would be challenged to find an actor to fill the role, which he feels Jaafar has done splendidly.

'When I started out, everyone said, "You'll never find anyone to play him,"' King said.