Kaylah Walton
The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic titled Michael will see its release postponed by six months due to legal disputes regarding the portrayal of Jordan Chandler, who alleged that the pop icon sexually abused him in 1993.
The film was initially scheduled for April 18, 2025, but Lionsgate has now pushed the premiere date to October 3, 2025.
The reason for the delay relates to how the film handles the Chandler controversy in its narrative. In 1993, Jordan Chandler’s father, Evan, accused Jackson of molesting his then 13-year-old son.
Although the allegations did not lead to criminal charges, and Jackson settled for $23 million, the details are still quite contentious. Reports suggest that the film’s nearly finished script significantly focuses on the fallout from the Chandler claims.
The filmmakers were unaware of a crucial clause in the settlement agreement between Jackson’s family and the Chandlers that forbids dramatization of the incident or the Chandler family themselves.
This important point was not disclosed to director Antoine Fuqua or the production team until last autumn, after principal photography had concluded on the estimated $150 million endeavor. Consequently, substantial parts of the script that deal with the legal battles arising from the allegations have come under scrutiny.
What scenes are being evaluated?
Certain scenes face scrutiny, including those featuring Jackson’s attorneys, such as Johnnie Cochran, deliberating whether to compensate Chandler’s family. Another contentious scene depicts a distressing police investigation, which involves a strip search of Jackson that had a significant psychological effect on him. Given the constraints from the legal settlement, these parts are now at risk.
Lionsgate is racing against time to reshoot these sequences. Without cooperation from Universal, the project partner, to finance the reshoots, the film may miss its revised October target. Nevertheless, sources indicate a sense of optimism that the issues will be resolved ahead of the planned premiere.
A source linked to the project mentioned that reshoots are scheduled for March, although it remains uncertain if the Chandler-related scenes will be excluded entirely.
The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua, plans to encapsulate the entire spectrum of Michael Jackson’s remarkable life, covering his revolutionary music career and personal challenges. Lionsgate sees potential in this film, with President Jim Packer proclaiming it might be the studio’s most significant release ever.
Excitement around the movie has been significant, especially following early footage showcased at CinemaCon, which received enthusiastic responses from viewers.
