The masses will have to wait a little while longer for the eagerly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic.

For, after ample speculation, a new report confirms that the Lionsgate production is set for a later release date.

Find out why below…

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ‘Michael’ will moonwalk to a 2026 release date.

The reason?

Lionsgate and producer Graham King are mounting 22 days of additional photography. Put simply, more shooting.

This, as it increasingly looks like the film will be split into two parts.

Per THR, a script for a potential second film still needs to be finalized, and the scheduled June shoot is for the first film. It’s suggested that it’s taking place to expand what was half a film into feature length offering..

Sources say the new film will now end with Jackson leaving the Jackson 5 after the release of his first solo album, ‘Off the Wall.’

An initially overlooked legal snag is also touted as causing delays. For, in promising a raw and unfiltered look at Jackson’s peaks and troughs, the much-discussed accusations he faced were set to feature in the film. However, a legal agreement with the 1993 accuser, in which MJ still asserted his innocence, guaranteed he would never be featured in a dramatization. Thus complicating the depiction of that era of Jackson’s story.

It remains to be seen how that aspect of the production will be navigated.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, ‘Michael’ sees the King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, star in the titular role.

A stellar cast has been installed around him, including Colman Domingo in the role of Joe Jackson and Nia Long as matriarch Katherine Jackson.

News of a potential pushback has been bubbling for months, with Lionsgate’s CEO officially touting the potential 2026 revised release this week.

After initially being scheduled for a March 2025 release, ‘Michael’ moved to an October 3, 2025 launch.

Now, a fresh date and details are incoming.

Your thoughts?

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