Hollywood's Latest Disappearing Act: What Happened to Michael?
Picture this: A film about the King of Pop, a budget soaring past $250 million, and a studio that suddenly goes radio silent at the year's biggest industry event. Sounds like a thriller, right? Well, it's not a movie plot—it's the current state of Michael, Antoine Fuqua's ambitious Michael Jackson biopic, which now appears to be slipping into 2026.
CinemaCon came and went without a whisper from Lionsgate about the film's status. No footage, no teaser, not even a flashy title card. This eerie silence has industry insiders scrambling for answers. Some suspect a massive overhaul is underway, while others whisper about legal battles forcing last-minute changes.
So, what's really going on? And should we be worried?
A Troubled Production—Or Just Another Hollywood Shuffle?
If Michael was on track for its October 2025 release, CinemaCon would have been the perfect place to build hype. Instead, the absence speaks volumes.
Let's break down the biggest red flags:
1. Legal Drama—And a Third-Act Meltdown
Back in March, reports surfaced that the film's third act had been completely scrapped due to legal issues. One of Jackson's accusers, whose allegations have long been a controversial part of his legacy, seems to have thrown a wrench into the film's storytelling. Fuqua is reportedly in the process of rewriting, reshooting, and recutting the entire final section of the movie.
That's no small fix—it's an expensive, time-consuming process that could push back the release by months, if not longer.
2. Four Hours of Film—and Still ‘Incomplete'
Insiders claim that a recent cut of Michael clocked in at nearly four hours but still felt “incomplete.” That's a terrifying statement for a project already struggling with pacing and narrative structure.
The potential solution? Lionsgate might break the film into two parts to recoup its enormous production costs. While splitting big-budget films has become a Hollywood trend (Dune, Kill Bill, The Hunger Games), doing so with a biopic is rare. Would audiences even show up twice for Michael?
3. Studio Silence: The Ultimate Red Flag
Lionsgate's reluctance to address the film at CinemaCon speaks louder than any official statement. Typically, when a film is on track, studios flood the media with teasers, exclusive footage, and glowing updates. Instead, we got… crickets.
Even seasoned Hollywood insiders are feeling uneasy. Puck's Matt Belloni put it bluntly:
“Uh oh. Lionsgate declined to give an update on Michael at CinemaCon. The silence says it all.”
And journalist Jeff Sneider? He claims a source has already confirmed the delay to 2026.
Should We Worry About Michael?
While delays aren't always a death sentence (Avatar 2, anyone?), the signs aren't great. Biopics—especially those about controversial figures—are tricky enough to pull off under ideal circumstances. Add in a bloated runtime, a third-act do-over, and a $250M budget, and you have a film on shaky ground.
Yet, there's still hope.
Michael Jackson remains one of the most influential musicians of all time, with a global fanbase eager to see his story told on the big screen. If Lionsgate and Fuqua can pull off a polished final cut—whether in one or two parts—Michael could still moonwalk its way into box office success.
The real question: Can they do it before audiences lose interest?
What Happens Next?
For now, Lionsgate is staying tight-lipped. But the industry is watching closely. If additional reshoots happen this summer, expect an official delay announcement by fall.
Until then, fans can only wait and hope that Michael doesn't become yet another overambitious Hollywood project lost to development hell.
Would you still watch Michael if it was split into two parts? Let us know in the comments.
