Fans of the King of Pop will have to write a little longer to catch a glimpse of his upcoming biopic. Michael Jackson is getting the movie treatment in the Antoine Fuqua-directedMichael, which was originally set for release in April 2025. However, Lionsgate has just announced a release date shift, but before everyone assumes this could be a troubling move, this might indicate that the studio feels like they have an awards season player on their hands.
PerDeadline,Lionsgate has decided to letMichaeldance again on May 30, 2025, shifting from its planned release date over the Easter holiday on August 12, 2025. While Easter could’ve proven to be a very lucrative frame for the biopic, the move into the fall corridor could indicate that Lionsgate feels there is awards season potential for them, very similar to the Graham King-producedBohemian Rhapsody(King is serving in the same capacity onMichael).On its new date,Michaelwill square off against Channing Tatum’s crime film,Roofman, which is based on the true story of fugitive Jeffrey Manchester and his trademark of stealing from McDonald’s by entering their branches from their rooftops. Very different films and likely room for both, but given Jackson’s global footprint, the late entertainer is likely to moonwalk over the competition.
Bohemian Rhapsodyis a solid comparison other than the King connection. Queen is another global phenomenon with a huge fanbase, but arguably, Jackson’s reach is even greater than theirs in terms of notoriety. Even as the singer’s popularity dwindled in the U.S. prior to his death, he remained extremely popular overseas, and Universal Pictures, which is handling foreign distribution, is banking on that popularity to turn into box office dollars, especially since his catalog has only increased in popularity after his passing.Bohemian Rhapsodyalso opened in the fall of 2018 in early November and went on to gross $216.4 million domestically, and a staggering $903.6 million worldwide, before going on to earn several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
Lionsgate Needs Michael to be Successful
A lot is riding onMichaelto be successful, given the fact thatLionsgate has released seven consecutive flops this year between August and October.Their 2024 is pretty much a wash, but they hope to recover in 2025, andMichaelis one of their tentpole releases. The budget is a reported $150-200 million, very pricey for a musical biopic, but much of the budget was said to be spent on Jackson’s music catalog, with the film using over 30 of his classic hits.Given Jackson’s worldwide appeal, Lionsgate thinks it will be theirbiggest film ever, and that’s not a bad notion to bank on, because he remains a driving force in music and pop culture worldwide.
Michael Jackson Biopic Director Says Movie Will Not Avoid Controversies of the Pop Icon
The director of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic says “the good, bad, and the ugly” facts of the star’s life will be told.
Directed by Fuqua from a screenplay by John Logan,Michaelwill look into the extraordinary career but complicated life of Michael Jackson from his time as a young talent alongside his brothers in the Jackson 5, through his unprecedented solo career, to his trials and tribulations dealing with the paparazzi, allegations of child molestation and his shocking death in 2009.The King of Pop’s life will truly be a family affair as his nephew,Jaafar Jackson, will be portraying his uncle alongside a cast that includes, Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Derek Luke and Larenz Tate.
Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film based on the life of the American singer, songwriter, and dancer Michael Jackson. It is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan. Michael Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut.
