The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has encountered a significant obstacle ahead of its scheduled release on October 3 of this year.

According to reports from Screen Rant, the film’s third act has been deemed legally unusable, presenting a major challenge for the production team. The biopic reportedly delves into the 1993 child sex abuse allegations made against Jackson by Evan Chandler, who accused the pop star of assaulting his 13-year-old son, Jordan.

Following an investigation, Jackson and the Chandlers eventually reached a financial settlement. Journalist Matt Belloni of Puck states that the film portrays Jackson as a naïve victim manipulated by the Chandlers for financial gain. The contested third act allegedly features Jackson’s legal team debating whether to settle with the Chandlers, including a scene where a recording of Evan Chandler is played, in which he purportedly threatens to use the allegations to destroy Jackson’s career.

Oversight in Contractual Agreements Causes Disruptions

It has now emerged that Jackson’s estate had previously signed a contract with Evan Chandler that restricts the depiction of him or his family in any film. This critical legal detail was reportedly overlooked during the production of Michael.

As a result, director Antoine Fuqua, producer Graham King, and screenwriter John Logan are currently revising the script and planning reshoots to address the issue. They intend to present the revised plan to Universal Studios. However, if Universal does not approve the proposed changes, the studio may consider withdrawing from the project altogether.

THE MOVIE HAVING DIFFERENT RELEASE DATES

The narrative spans Jackson’s journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 to his solo career, highlighting both his monumental achievements and personal challenges. Initially slated for an April 2025 release, the film’s debut has been postponed to October 3, 2025, to allow for additional reshoots.

ONLINE REACTIONS

The Michael Jackson Biopic is going to be the most important movie ever made! 🙌 #MichaelMovie pic.twitter.com/LlMQv8IshB

— Victor ✨ | 𝗠𝗝 𝗙𝗔𝗡 (@Northen93) January 4, 2025

It’s gonna be the greatest film of all time. It gonna portray the King as the angel he was and those criminal accusers as the con men they were.
Let’s go!!! 😁🤗 pic.twitter.com/5EjJ9FC7bn

— Adrian (@Adrian_l899) January 24, 2025

Not a reliable source. This was written by a notorius hack tabloid fraud

— Adrian (@Adrian_l899) January 24, 2025

I wish @michaeljackson Estate would communicate with the fans regarding #MichaelMovie. We are left alone with speculations and media frenzy,

— Jackson Dynasty (@JacksonDynasty_) January 24, 2025

This is gonna be Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles all over again. We won’t see the actor at all. But the man in the flesh himself telling his own story.

— Jovan Howard (@JovanHoward13) January 24, 2025

Prince not worry about the film because he is one of executive producers so I trust Prince and Jackson brother like Jackie when he say the people will have up and down emotions when this movie comes out.

— wendy coleman (@wendyrose2) January 24, 2025

And there goes the clarification that the film isn’t in jeopardy. Reshoots are a normal part of film making…especially with a film of this nature, and some started happening right after the official “wrap.” Gotta keep up with the neighborhood boards and casting sites 🙃 https://t.co/XtDwDgcLae pic.twitter.com/CPKVcQC03Y

— Jael Rucker (@RuckerJael) January 24, 2025

I THINK PEOPLE DONT REALIZE AN ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER RUNS HIS ESTATE..::

HE WAS THERE DURING THE PROCESS…..ITS HARD TO BELIEVE HED OVER LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS

WHICH TELLS ME ITS RUMOR BAIT AND NOTHIN ELSE #MICHAELMOVIE

— DADLIFE DEON (@SO_SMOOVE_AARON) January 25, 2025