Behind the Scenes of the “Michael” Film Reboot: $15 Million Reshoots, Removal of Child Abuse Allegations, and Sequel Plans
According to the CinemaDrame news agency, the film Michael—which portrays Michael Jackson’s rise to global superstardom—was originally set to begin in the middle of one of the darkest periods of the singer’s life. In an early draft of the screenplay, the “King of Pop” is shown staring at his reflection in a mirror with a sorrowful gaze as the flashing lights of police cars flicker behind him. The year is 1993, a decade after Thriller reshaped pop culture and shortly after Jackson faced allegations of child sexual abuse.
However, this scene—depicting investigators entering the Neverland Ranch in search of evidence—is among the sections ultimately removed. Michael, which is scheduled to be released in the United States by Lionsgate on April 24, was initially intended to explore the impact of these allegations on Jackson’s life, with much of its third act devoted to the scandal. According to sources familiar with the production, this ending was completely scrapped, and all references to the allegations were removed. The decision was made after lawyers for the Michael Jackson estate—also producers on the project—discovered a clause in a settlement agreement with one of Jackson’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, prohibiting his depiction or even reference in any film.
Following this late-stage discovery, filmmakers were forced to completely rework the ending from scratch. The process was further delayed after screenwriter John Logan’s home was damaged in the Palisades fire. As a result, Michael, originally slated for release on April 18, 2025, was first pushed to October 3 and then ultimately rescheduled for spring 2026.
In June last year, cast members reconvened for 22 days of reshoots to film a new third act and complete additional scenes. Production, which had primarily taken place in Santa Barbara, resumed in Los Angeles but did not qualify for state tax incentives. According to sources, this added $10–15 million to the film’s budget, which was initially set at $155 million. The Jackson estate reportedly covered the additional costs, as the changes stemmed from an error on their side. In return, the estate also holds a share of the film’s ownership.
Instead of ending with one of the most controversial periods of Jackson’s life, the film now concludes during the height of his fame. The final scene takes place during the Bad tour, following Jackson as he prepares for yet another performance. The film heavily emphasizes Jackson’s music, featuring a series of large-scale performance sequences while largely stepping away from aspects of his personal controversies. However, it does include an emotional scene in which Jackson buys toys for hospitalized children. In the revised version, the dramatic tension is more focused on his relationship with his strict father, Joe Jackson, who is unwilling to allow his son’s solo success to come at the expense of the Jackson 5. The film also explores Jackson’s recovery after a severe scalp burn during a 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot, including his early use of pain medication.
Michael Jackson is portrayed by his real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, while Joe Jackson is played by Colman Domingo. According to sources, Janet Jackson does not appear in the film.
John Branca, Jackson’s attorney, and Karen Langford, senior estate executives, were consulted on production decisions, and Prince Jackson, the singer’s son, served as an executive producer with daily presence on set. His other two children, Bigi and Paris, were not involved in the project.
Despite being one of the most beloved musicians of all time, Jackson remains a controversial figure. Estate insiders acknowledge the weight of multiple child abuse allegations that have shadowed his legacy. Jackson consistently denied these claims during his lifetime.
However, the global success of the 2022 Broadway musical MJ, which launched a national tour in 2023, provided encouragement for the estate. The show—concluding notably before the 1993 allegations—convinced Jackson’s team that audiences were open to a more sympathetic portrayal. The production is one of only four post-pandemic new musicals still running and has grossed over $300 million on Broadway. The popularity of Cirque du Soleil’s One and the 2009 concert film This Is It have also reinforced this confidence.
In 2024, producer Graham King told exhibitors at CinemaCon that he had spent years developing the project and interviewed hundreds of Jackson’s associates to condense his life into a feature film. Given that the original cut ran over three and a half hours, he hopes to expand Michael into a two-part narrative. Lionsgate and Universal, which handles international distribution, believe there is enough material for at least one additional film. Studios estimate that around 30% of the deleted content could be repurposed for potential sequels. It remains unclear how future installments would address the legal battles and allegations that defined much of Jackson’s later life. King has told studios that future focus would likely center on Jackson’s later albums, including Dangerous (1991) and Invincible (2001), his purchase and creation of Neverland Ranch, and his “love of animals.”
These discussions may soon move into a more concrete stage. Early projections suggest Michael could open to more than $55 million domestically, surpassing the $51 million debut of 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody. As release approaches, that figure may rise further. Direct comparisons are difficult, as Bohemian Rhapsody was released before the pandemic and ultimately grossed $910 million worldwide. Post-COVID music biopics such as A Complete Unknown and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere have been produced on a smaller scale.
Within the studio, the hope is that Michael will generate at least $700 million globally. If that target is achieved, Jackson may once again “moonwalk” onto the big screen—this time without behind-the-scenes controversy.
