The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, titled Michael, has hit a snag that might push its release back even further. Originally set to hit theaters in April 2025, the film has been rescheduled for October due to issues with the script, according to recent reports.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer) and written by Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan, the film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, as the legendary pop icon. Jaafar has been praised for capturing not just Michael’s look and moves but also his spirit. “He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could,” said producer Graham King in a statement earlier this year.

But despite the excitement surrounding the project, there’s a major hurdle. The script reportedly includes the 1993 sexual abuse allegations made against Jackson by then-13-year-old Jordan Chandler. However, a legal settlement from that case allegedly prevents any dramatization of the Chandler family, a detail the filmmakers didn’t know until after shooting wrapped. This could mean significant reshoots and reworking of the script.

The film’s $150 million budget adds to the pressure, as teams scramble to address the issue without derailing the project entirely. Representatives for the Jackson family estate and Fuqua have not commented on the matter.

This isn’t the first time Jackson’s legacy has been clouded by controversy. In 2019, HBO’s Leaving Neverland documentary featured disturbing allegations from two men who claimed Jackson sexually abused them as children. Jackson’s family has consistently denied these accusations, calling the documentary a “public lynching.”

Michael is still slated for release on October 3, 2025, but fans will have to wait and see how the filmmakers navigate these legal challenges to bring the King of Pop’s story to the big screen.—