The forthcoming biopic 'Michael,' chronicling the life of the iconic pop star Michael Jackson, is positioned to become a major Hollywood success story, with industry analysts predicting it could even outperform "Bohemian Rhapsody." This projection comes despite the persistent controversy surrounding allegations against the singer.
Producer Graham King, who was also behind the critically and commercially successful "Bohemian Rhapsody," is spearheading this project. The Queen biopic, despite its own production challenges, ultimately grossed over $900 million worldwide and secured four Academy Awards.
King began developing the Michael Jackson film in 2019, aiming to recreate a similar level of success for another music legend. However, the project has been inherently more complex due to the unresolved child abuse allegations against Jackson. He settled a civil lawsuit with accuser Jordan Chandler in 1994, and was acquitted of criminal charges in 2005.
Representatives for Jackson's estate have consistently asserted his innocence, stating that "a jury unanimously found him innocent and extensive evidence supported his defense."
Nevertheless, the accusations remain a significant and contentious element of Jackson's public perception, presenting a distinct challenge for a biographical film. Despite these issues, the artist's popularity endures, with tens of millions of monthly listeners on Spotify alone, highlighting his lasting global appeal.
Jackson's cultural impact continues to be celebrated through ventures such as the "Michael Jackson ONE" Las Vegas show and the Broadway production "MJ The Musical," both of which maintain strong audience engagement.
'Michael' was officially announced in January 2023, with Antoine Fuqua directing and John Logan penning the script. The cast includes prominent actors like Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Nia Long, while the pivotal role of Michael Jackson will be portrayed by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
A spokesperson for the production noted that "the Michael Jackson estate entrusted Graham King with creative control from the outset," indicating the producer's significant influence over the project's direction.
Industry insiders suggest that Jackson's sustained relevance is a result of several factors, including the absence of definitive legal findings against him, strategic reputation management, and a narrative that sometimes portrays him as a victim of intense fame and media pressure. Ultimately, his unparalleled artistic talent remains central to his enduring legacy.
The controversy resurfaced prominently with the 2019 documentary "Leaving Neverland," featuring testimony from Wade Robson and James Safechuck. This documentary sparked widespread discussion and criticism, with Jackson's estate denouncing it as "one-sided attacks on Michael Jackson."
Director Dan Reed, however, claimed that an early version of the biopic's screenplay contained "many falsehoods, a great many inaccuracies and also just outright lies." The estate's legal team dismissed his critique as "irrelevant and misguided," emphasizing that Reed had not viewed the final script.
The film's production experienced delays, including those caused by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, with filming resuming in early 2024. Producer Graham King indicated that the film would delve into Jackson's complex life, stating that "Behind the unrelenting scrutiny and the accusations and the grinding media spotlight, [Jackson] was simply a man, A man who lived a very complicated life. The movie will get into all of it."
However, subsequent reports suggested a significant alteration to the film's narrative focus. Initial drafts reportedly detailed the Jordan Chandler allegations extensively, particularly in the third act. Due to legal restrictions stemming from the 1994 settlement, Chandler could not be depicted or referenced in the film.
Consequently, the script underwent substantial revisions. The current version of the film concentrates on Jackson's journey from his early days in a family band to his ascent as a global superstar, exploring his struggles under his father's management and culminating in a performance from the 1988 Bad tour. The more sensitive and controversial aspects of his life have been removed from the narrative.
These narrative adjustments necessitated extensive reshoots, reportedly adding 22 shooting days in June 2025 at an additional cost of $10 million to $15 million, funded by Jackson's estate. The film's release date was subsequently postponed to 2026.
Despite these modifications, industry analysts remain optimistic about the film's commercial performance. There are also indications that unused footage might be utilized for potential sequels. A Lionsgate spokesperson described the project as "effectively a Part One the making of a king," suggesting that future installments could explore additional chapters of Jackson's life.
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