Movies

Legal Dispute Delays Michael Jackson Biopic’s Release by Half a Year

BBG News

The highly awaited Michael Jackson biopic has been postponed for six months, as there are ongoing legal disputes regarding the portrayal of Jordan Chandler, a person who accused Jackson of sexual abuse, and his family in a dramatic context.

Originally slated for a release on April 18, 2025, the movie titled “Michael,” featuring Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the legendary King of Pop, has been pushed back and is now scheduled to premiere in theaters on October 3, 2025, according to Lionsgate’s announcement made last November.

In 1993, Chandler received a reported $23 million in a settlement following claims by his father, Evan Chandler, that Michael Jackson had sexually abused him when he was 13 years old. Despite these accusations, the singer was never brought to trial on these charges.

According to Matthew Belloni, co-founder of Puck, it has been decided that certain parts of the movie’s plot, which significantly revolve around the influence of the Chandler circus, will need to be revised and reshot.

According to reports, it’s stated that the Jackson family agreed with Chandler that they can never create dramatic portrayals based on the Chandler family or the related incident.

It wasn’t disclosed to the Michael producers and director Antoine Fuqua until last autumn, after the $150 million biopic had wrapped up shooting, that part of the agreement was kept hidden.

In the nearly final draft of the script I’ve come across, there’s an intense scene where Branca (played by Miles Teller) and Johnnie Cochran (portrayed by Derek Luke), along with other lawyers from Jackson’s team, deliberate on whether or not to offer a settlement to Chandler and his family.

At a certain moment, they chose to air a controversial audio file, previously presented as evidence in court, which featured Jordan’s father making threats to use his son’s allegations against both his ex-spouse and Michael Jackson’s career with the intention of ruining them.

Following sequences portray an in-depth police probe, featuring a distressing body search of Michael that leaves lasting emotional impact on him.

Michael is jointly produced by Graham King, with John McClain and John Branca serving as the administrators of the Michael Jackson estate.

Consequently, several crucial sequences in the movie are deemed unusable, putting the film at risk unless Universal Studios consents to costly re-filming, as reported by the publication.

According to Belloni, his informants are quite optimistic that the problems will be addressed and resolved prior to the movie’s October premiere.

According to a source familiar with the movie, they informed TMZ that additional filming is scheduled for March; however, they chose not to disclose if this would involve removing any scenes featuring Chandler.

We reached out to the representatives of Michael Jackson’s estate, Universal, Fuqua, and King to get their thoughts on the matter.

In addition to Colman Domingo and Nia Long portraying Joe and Katherine Jackson (Jackson’s parents), the film also features a talented ensemble cast that includes 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.

Starting next October 17, 2025, I’m excited to be part of the audience for Lionsgate’s hilarious comedy “Good Fortune.” This star-studded production boasts an impressive cast featuring Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and none other than Keanu Reeves. Can’t wait to catch it!

Michael is garnering huge expectations from the studio.

At the Gabelli Media & Entertainment Symposium, Lionsgate’s global TV distribution president, Jim Packer, expressed his belief that the upcoming movie could be our most significant yet, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

According to Packer, there’s a lot of excitement building up for the upcoming movie that Antoine Fuqua is directing.

Speaking about this upcoming film, Packer noted that the excitement it generates whenever a new photo surfaces is truly astonishing. This movie follows in the footsteps of biographical films about other renowned musicians like Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Freddie Mercury.

During the session, Packer mentioned that Lionsgate will be concentrating on intellectual properties and will be involved in both creating and distributing movie and television productions.

According to Packer, Lionsgate plans to concentrate on acquiring intellectual properties and will be involved in creating and disseminating both film and television productions.

In recent months, Jaafar, the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, has been keeping himself occupied with film production work.

Last month, he shot scenes for the biopic in Los Angeles, replicating the famous Thriller video in May, specifically downtown Los Angeles, and in Encino, California, as early as March.

In April, during CinemaCon held in Las Vegas, a trailer for the upcoming film was unveiled with a significant response, according to Variety. This sneak peek was included in Lionsgate’s presentation to cinema owners as part of their showcase.

In the prelude, it seems like the voice belonged to Katherine Jackson, where she advised her son, ‘Some individuals might perceive you as unique, and this could potentially make your journey a bit more challenging.’

However, you’ve always been unique, Michael. You possess a rare, radiant spark – let it illuminate the world around you.

Michael Jackson’s voice is heard saying, “Offstage, everything feels unfamiliar to me.

As I eagerly anticipate the upcoming cinema event, let me share that the movie in question promises to offer a captivating glimpse into the life of an unparalleled artistic genius. The film, produced by Graham King, is not just about drama or mystery but delves deep into the emotional landscapes of this prolific artist. It’s more than just a story; it’s a journey that will intrigue and move you in equal measure.

The monarch has spent seven long years meticulously crafting this movie, and during that time, he undertook numerous interviews with a view to gathering the most valuable perspectives for his upcoming production.

In the year 2005, MJ underwent a court case in Santa Barbara, California, over allegations of child sexual misconduct. However, he was found not guilty in this trial.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I can tell you that this film delves deep into every aspect, revealing that beneath the constant public gaze, intense criticism, and limelight, he was just an individual – a complex man grappling with a multifaceted existence.

King mentioned that some had suggested it would be difficult to find a suitable actor for the part, but he believes Jaafar has excelled in this role magnificently.

‘When I started out, everyone said, “You’ll never find anyone to play him,”‘ King said.

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2025-01-24 22:35

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