Lionsgate‘s Antoine Fuqua directed biopic, “Michael” had been set up with an April 18, 2025 release date, but has now been moved to a meatier, awards-ready October 3, 2025 slot. Can a Michael Jackson biopic actually contend for awards? Will any of the fall festivals actually want to screen this already controversial film?
This 7-month delay can either be for two reasons; the first one is that there will be reshoots on the film, which isn’t that far-fetched a theory, or the second theory is that Lionsgate truly believes they have an Oscar contender in their hands here.
It was recently confirmed that Universal/Lionsgate would be backing “Michael” with a mega marketing campaign, unprecedented promotion and investments as they expect a box-office in the “multi billion dollar” mark. The confidence they have in this one is through the roof.
In addition to Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, the movie also stars Nia Long as MJ’s mother, and Colman Domingo playing the singer’s controversial father, Joe. None other than Miles Teller will be playing Jackson’s long-time lawyer (and the film’s producer) John Branca. Three-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan penned the script.
Following “Air,” this is Affleck’s latest stint behind the camera. He has cast himself in the lead role, alongside Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, and Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”).