Michael Jackson biopic delayed until 2027 and may be released in two parts

The release of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic has been delayed until 2027, with the studio now considering splitting it into two films.

Titled Michael, the movie is set to tell the story of the life and career of Jackson, with the King of Pop to be portrayed by his real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson.

It had been scheduled for an October 3 release in the United States but now Deadline have reported that studio Lionsgate has moved it to 2027, with no official new date set in stone.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Felthimer told a conference call this week: “In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we’re excited about the 3½ hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy and timing in the next few weeks.”

“I would note that it is likely we will move Michael out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal ’26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal 27 slate.”

Deadline added that the company are now strongly considering releasing Michael in two parts. “At the end, when you look at the music library, when you look at what Michael Jackson was able to deliver in terms of music and contributions to art, whether or not that can be fit into one movie comfortably or not is a question that we are absolutely asking,” Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson told investors. “We’ll be ready to answer more specifically in the coming weeks.”

Speculation about a possible split first emerged last month when no footage was shown from the film during CinemaCon in April.

In January, it was reported that the film’s production had hit a major speed bump, and was being forced to reshoot its entire third act, which is said to depict sexual abuse allegations that the singer’s estate has banned from being dramatised.

The film has already attracted some criticism, including from Dan Reed – the director of the documentary Leaving Neverland – which documented allegations of sexual abuse against Michael. He recently criticised the making of the new biopic, saying it “will glorify a man who raped children”.

Alongside Jaafar Jackson, the cast also includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Miles Teller as manager John Branca. The Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham will play the iconic Diana Ross. Portraying industry titan Quincy Jones – who died in November – will be Insecure‘s Kendrick Sampson.