Legal Setback Delays Michael Jackson Biopic, Producers Work on Reshoots

The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, is facing significant delays due to unforeseen legal issues. Filming for the project, which is a collaboration with the Jackson family, has been completed, but producers are now scrambling to make major changes to the movie.

A report by Puck on January 23 revealed that legal complications have forced producers to rewrite parts of the script and schedule reshoots. The issue stems from a clause in a settlement agreement between Michael Jackson and one of his former accusers, Jordan Chandler, who claimed Jackson sexually abused him in 1993. The musician settled the case out of court for $25 million, with one condition: the Chandlers cannot be mentioned or dramatized in any film.

This clause was reportedly overlooked during the script’s approval process, but it has now become a major hurdle for the film. The Chandler story was intended to be a central part of the movie, which was written by John Logan.

Despite the setbacks, a source close to the production reassured PEOPLE on January 24 that the film is not in "total chaos." They confirmed that reshoots are planned for March and the film is still moving forward. The biopic, which was originally set for release on April 18, 2025, has been delayed by six months and will now premiere on October 3, 2025.

The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael's real-life nephew, as the iconic pop star, and is directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for his work on Training Day. The cast also includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Michael's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as Michael's lawyer, John Branca.

Michael promises to offer an honest portrayal of Jackson's life, from his personal struggles to his creative genius, highlighted through his most famous performances. The biopic is being produced by Graham King, whose company GK Films also produced the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody.

While the Jackson estate has repeatedly denied the abuse allegations against Michael, the legal battles continue, with additional allegations featured in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland.