Washington – Fans eagerly awaiting the Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael,” will need to hold on a bit longer. Lionsgate has confirmed that the highly anticipated film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in his on-screen debut, is now expected to hit theaters sometime after April 1, 2026. This comes as CEO Jon Feltheimer revealed exciting updates during Lionsgate’s Q4 2025 earnings call, hinting at a potential multi-part release and a bolstered fiscal year 2027.
Originally slated for an October 3, 2025, release, Variety previously reported that the film’s timeline was likely to shift, with the possibility of being split into two parts. Feltheimer’s recent statements solidify this delay, explaining that moving “Michael” out of the current fiscal year (which concludes on March 31, 2026) will “impact fiscal ’26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal ’27 slate.” This indicates a premiere sometime after the fiscal year 2026 ends.
Despite the shift in schedule, the studio is clearly impressed with what they’ve seen so far. “We’re thrilled with the 3 1/2 hours of incredible footage that producer Graham King and filmmaker Antoine Fuqua have provided for our Michael Jackson biopic,” Feltheimer enthused. A final release plan and schedule are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
While “Michael” was a major highlight at last year’s Lionsgate CinemaCon presentation, no new footage was showcased at this year’s event, leaving fans even more eager for a glimpse.
The film boasts an impressive cast, with Graham King (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) at the helm as producer. Though principal photography concluded in May 2024, Variety reports that John Logan’s screenplay is currently undergoing rework in preparation for reshoots.
The ensemble cast includes Miles Teller as Jackson’s lawyer and adviser John Branca, and Colman Domingo and Nia Long portraying his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. Iconic music figures will also be brought to life, with Kat Graham as Diana Ross, Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe (the first female music executive), and Larenz Tate as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.
Further expanding the star-studded lineup, Kendrick Sampson will play the legendary Quincy Jones, who first collaborated with Michael Jackson when the singer was just 12 years old. Jessica Sula will portray Michael’s older sister La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Jackson’s former security guard and trusted confidante Bill Bray. The film will undoubtedly explore the impactful collaborations between Jackson and Jones, who worked together on three of Michael’s best-selling albums: “Off the Wall” (1979), “Thriller” (1982), and “Bad.”
As Lionsgate prepares to reveal the definitive release strategy, the anticipation for “Michael” continues to build, promising an in-depth look at the life and legacy of the King of Pop.
