Michael Jackson Biopic Could Be Split Into 2 Movies, Release Date in Doubt

The Michael Jackson biopic, titled Michael, might be split into two parts.

Lionsgate’s Michael movie is currently scheduled to be released this coming October. The film noticeably was hardly even mentioned during the company’s CinemaCon presentation on April 1, 2025, however, which is especially odd given that footage of the movie was shown at CinemaCon 2024, leading some to wonder if the movie is going to be delayed.

According to Deadline, the current cut of Michael is nearly four hours long and “could be split into two movies,” though that is merely “an option on the table” and “not a definite at this time.”

Is the Michael Jackson biopic movie still being released in 2025?

Jeff Sneider’s The InSneider reported that Michael will likely be heading to 2026. 

“I can’t imagine it would be delayed beyond next year,” Sneider said. “The studio still has Michael slated for October as of this moment, but if it was going to actually make that date, it would have to start marketing the movie, well, now, basically. So the mere fact that Lionsgate didn’t show a Michael trailer, and barely mentioned the fact that it exists at all, tells me that there isn’t a chance in hell that the film will be released this year.”

Deadline also says that Michael “most likely” won’t make its current release dates; although, the article also notes, “There are a lot of sign-offs here with Universal handling overseas and Japan sold separately. A key factor for a concert-like movie of this stature is access to Imax screens.”

Lionsgate has not officially commented on the matter or announced a new release date, meaning, at the time of this article’s publication, the movie still has an October 3, 2025, release date.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the movie stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, and more.

Source: Comingsoon.net