Picture this: You're hyped for a single, soul-shaking Michael Jackson biopic. Then—bam—they hit you with a two-parter. I damn near moonwalked into traffic when I heard Antoine Fuqua's Michael was splitting like a bad breakup, both halves dropping in 2026. This ain't just news—it's a seismic shift in how Hollywood's serving up the King of Pop.
Let's cut through the glitter. Showbiz411's Roger Friedman dropped the bomb: Michael—originally clocking in at a hefty four hours—will now strut its stuff as two two-hour films, slated for spring and fall 2026. That October 3, 2025, release date? Dead. Buried. Inevitably pushed, just like my patience waiting for this thing. Sources say Lionsgate's betting on an “event” vibe—think Wicked, but with more sequins and less flying monkeys.
Why two? Simple math doesn't add up here—it's not about runtime. It's about money. Sony Music's got soundtracks to prep, tie-ins to hawk, and Jaafar Jackson—Michael's nephew, who's apparently nailing the role—to polish into a household name. Deadline and Variety confirmed the four-hour cut was real, and splitting it gives ‘em breathing room to maximize the hype. Sources who've seen Jaafar's footage? They're raving like it's 1983 and Thriller just hit MTV.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: This could either be a masterstroke or a cash-grab fumble. Sam Mendes is out there plotting four Beatles films—why shouldn't MJ get a double dip? But if they screw this up, it's not just a movie that flops—it's a legacy that takes a hit.
Rewind teh clock. Biopics don't usually split—Bohemian Rhapsody crammed Freddie Mercury's life into 134 minutes and still snagged $1 billion. But Michael Jackson ain't your average icon. From Jackson 5 bubblegum to Thriller's record-smashing peak, then the tabloid chaos of the ‘90s—his story's a sprawling, sequined beast. Four hours might've felt like a marathon; two parts could be a victory lap.
Variety's whispering about Lionsgate's strategy mirroring Wicked's playbook—turn a big tale into a cultural moment. And let's not kid ourselves: the $150 million budget (per MovieWeb) screams “we're not messing around.” That's a lotta dough for a single flick—splitting it hedges the bet. Plus, Fuqua's got a rep—Training Day was raw, real, and punched hard. If anyone can make this sing, it's him.
But—here's the edge—there's risk. Fans are rabid. Mess with MJ's mythos, and you're not just facing critics—you're facing a global army armed with glitter gloves and X posts. Split it wrong, and part one's a tease that leaves us cold, while part two's a bloated encore nobody asked for.
So, two films. Spring and fall 2026. A double dose of Michael mania. It's like Hollywood took a page from MJ's playbook—don't just perform, dominate. Will it work? Hell if I know—but I'm hooked. You'll either love this or hate it. Tell me: Would you risk splitting a legend's tale—or keep it one epic, untouchable jam? Drop your take below.
