Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” has undergone major reshoots after filmmakers removed planned scenes about child abuse allegations and rebuilt the final act. The change came after the estate’s legal team flagged a settlement clause linked to accuser Jordan Chandler that blocked any depiction or mention of him in the movie.
The film, which Lionsgate now plans to release in the US on April 24, has been pushed back several times as production teams rewrote the ending and added new footage. Sources familiar with the production say the late changes added about $10 million to $15 million to the budget, while the project was originally greenlit at $155 million.
Why the ending changed
The original version of “Michael” was designed to confront one of the most controversial periods in Jackson’s life. Early scripts included scenes tied to the 1993 allegations, including investigators arriving at Neverland Ranch, but those sequences were cut before release planning advanced.
According to people with knowledge of the production, the estate’s attorneys found that the Chandler settlement prevented the film from portraying or naming him. That discovery forced the creative team to abandon a third act built around the scandal and start over with a new conclusion.
The rewrite also delayed the movie beyond its earlier targets. After first being scheduled for April 18, 2025, it was moved to October 3 before landing on a spring 2026 release plan.
Reshoots added cost and time
The cast returned for 22 days of additional photography to complete the new ending and expand earlier scenes. Most of the original shoot took place in Santa Barbara, while the reshoots moved to Los Angeles and did not qualify for state tax rebates.
That shift increased expenses at a time when the film had already become one of the most expensive music biopics in development. The Jackson estate covered the extra cost because the legal issue came from its side of the project, and that payment reportedly gave the estate an equity stake in the film.
What the film now focuses on
Instead of ending with the fallout from the abuse allegations, the new version closes with Jackson at the height of his fame. The final scene is set during the “Bad” tour and shows him preparing for another performance, according to a source who has seen the completed film.
The movie now leans more heavily on Jackson’s music and career momentum than on his personal controversies. It also includes a scene in which Jackson buys toys for children in a hospital, while the core dramatic tension centers on his strained relationship with his father, Joe Jackson.
- Michael Jackson is played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
- Joe Jackson is portrayed by Colman Domingo.
- Janet Jackson does not appear as a character in the film.
- Prince Jackson, Michael’s son, served as an executive producer and was frequently on set.
Legal sensitivity shaped the storytelling
The removal of the allegations changes more than structure. It also reflects how carefully Jackson’s image is being handled by the estate, which remains aware of the lasting impact of multiple abuse accusations even as Jackson always denied them.
Estate representatives were also encouraged by the commercial performance of the Broadway musical “MJ,” which opened in 2022 and has since grossed more than $300 million at the Broadway box office. That show ends before the 1993 allegations surface, a choice that appears to have informed the film’s more sympathetic approach.
Supporters inside the project also pointed to the success of Cirque du Soleil’s “One” and the concert film “This Is It” as evidence that audiences still respond strongly to Jackson-focused entertainment.
Studios are betting on strong box office interest
Producer Graham King has said he spent years preparing the film and interviewed hundreds of people connected to Jackson’s life. He also indicated at CinemaCon that the original cut ran more than three and a half hours, which raised the possibility of splitting the story into two films.
Lionsgate and Universal, which oversees international distribution, believe there is enough unused material for at least one sequel. Roughly 30% of the removed footage could reportedly be reused in future installments, though it remains unclear how those films would address Jackson’s legal battles.
The current plan, according to King, is to focus possible follow-up films on later albums such as “Dangerous” and “Invincible,” plus the purchase and development of Neverland Ranch and Jackson’s interest in animals.
Box office expectations are high
Early tracking suggests “Michael” could open above $55 million domestically, a figure that would top the launch of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which opened to $51 million before going on to earn $910 million worldwide. Industry comparisons remain tricky because recent music biopics have faced a different theatrical market than pre-pandemic releases.
Studio estimates suggest “Michael” could ultimately gross at least $700 million worldwide if audience interest holds. That would make the film one of the biggest bets in recent music biopic history, even as its final form reflects the legal and reputational risks surrounding Jackson’s legacy.
Read more at: variety.com
