The release date for the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson, has been delayed by six months. Initially set to premiere on April 18, 2025, Lionsgate has announced that the film will now hit theaters on October 3, 2025.
The cast includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, with other notable actors like Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Jessica Sula rounding out the ensemble, as reported by Daily Mail.
The film will explore various aspects of the pop star’s life and career, including his legal troubles. The film will address the 1993 lawsuit accusing Jackson of child sexual abuse, which he settled, and the 2005 trial in Santa Barbara, California, where he was acquitted of separate child sexual abuse claims.
The Lionsgate comedy “Good Fortune,” featuring a star-studded cast including Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves, is set to premiere on October 17, 2025.
Meanwhile, the studio has high expectations for the upcoming biopic “Michael,” which delves into the life of Michael Jackson. Lionsgate president of worldwide television distribution, Jim Packer, expressed high expectations for the forthcoming biopic “Michael,” directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Speaking at the Gabelli Media & Entertainment Symposium, Packer said there is a significant buzz surrounding the film, which is amplified with each photo release.
He predicted it would be the biggest movie Lionsgate has ever had, drawing comparisons to recent successful biopics about musical legends like Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Freddie Mercury.
He added that they will focus on intellectual property by producing and distributing film and TV projects.
The trailer received a strong reaction when it was shown at CinemaCon in Las Vegas in April, according to Variety.
The preview, part of Lionsgate’s showcase to movie theater owners, featured a voice attributed to Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, saying, “There might be some people who think you’re different and that’s gonna make life a little harder for you.”
“But you never were like anyone else – Michael, you have a very special light – so make that light shine onto the world.”
A voice attributed to Michael Jackson is heard saying, “When I’m not onstage everything feels foreign to me.”
Ahead of the cinematic showcase, the film’s producer Graham King said the movie would be “an inside look at the most prolific artist who ever lived” as “there are elements of drama, intrigue and emotional states.”
King has spent seven years developing a comprehensive Michael Jackson biopic, conducting hundreds of interviews to ensure an in-depth portrayal of Jackson’s life.
King expressed that many doubted the possibility of finding a suitable actor to portray Michael Jackson. However, he believes Jaafar Jackson has done an exceptional job in the role.
