Michael Jackson's Biopic Hit With Third Blow Amid Estate Issues

Yahoo

2 days ago

's highly anticipated biopic has received what fans hope will be its final postponement after multiple hiccups.
The movie covering the late King of Pop's life and career has faced three significant delays in its release date since its announcement. The biopic's premiere was rescheduled from April 2025 to October 2025, and now to April 24, 2026.
Sources claim the drama surrounding Michael Jackson's biopic has burdened his young nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who portrays him in the movie. Additionally, the late singer's estate is currently at odds with his longtime associate over a $213 million extortion scheme.
Michael Jackson's Biopic Postponed To 2026
According to new reports, Michael's biopic has officially been scheduled for release on Friday, April 24, 2026. It will have a global theatrical debut and be available on IMAX screens, marking its third and hopefully its last postponement.
The delay with "Michael" began over the biopic's length, leading to it getting split into two movies to cover the late singer's illustrious career and life. There was a first cut in excess of 3½ hours, which also featured the second reason for postponement.
The initial cut of the movie referenced Jordan Chandler, who had accused Michael of molestation at 13. The late entertainer infamously settled the shocking claims for $20 million in 1994; however, he did so without admitting guilt.
Producers were forced to edit these controversial parts after production had ended because it was revealed that Chandler had an agreement that stopped him from being featured in the biopic. As for the movie's second half, Deadline reported it was still under development.
The Late Singer's Estate At War With His Longtime Associate
The new release date for Michael's biopic comes weeks after The Blast reported a war was brewing between his estate and his longtime associate, Frank Cascio. The Michael Jackson Estate and The Michael Jackson Company, LLC submitted a petition to the Los Angeles Superior Court early this month.
The plaintiffs accused Cascio of orchestrating a $213 million extortion scheme, claiming he threatened to spread false allegations about Michael.
A spokesperson for the estate noted in a statement that Cascio had spent over three decades as one of Michael's biggest supporters. However, he suddenly changed his tune for a massive payout.
"Mr. Cascio proudly described himself as part of Michael's 'second family,' and repeatedly and publicly denied any misconduct by Mr. Jackson. Now, years after Michael's passing, Mr. Cascio is attempting to profit by reversing his position and manufacturing claims he previously denounced as false," the rep claimed.
The King Of Pop's Former Pal Allegedly Violated A Confidential Agreement
In the petition, Michael's estate claimed Cascio's actions violated the terms of a 2020 Confidential Acquisition and Consulting Agreement. They noted that the document included strict confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, as well as a binding arbitration clause.
"This is a straightforward case of civil extortion and breach of contract. We will not allow the legacy of Michael Jackson to be exploited through threats and falsehoods," the estate's attorney Martin D. Singer declared.
The petition implored the court to force Cascio into arbitration and prevent damage to Michael's reputation.
Cascio's issues with Michael's estate came two months after social media influencers accused him of having gambling debts. Content creators Grace Glenn and Julia Geraci claimed they were approached by unknown men who wanted to know about Cascio's whereabouts because he owed them a substantial sum.
How The Biopic Delays Affected Jaafar Jackson
The postponement of Michael's biopic reportedly placed significant pressure on his nephew, Jaafar. The Blast shared that a source claimed the young entertainer was forced to bear the brunt of the delays, noting he "put himself through hell to master his late uncle's performance style, dance moves, and general manner."
"He's had to maintain that peak conditioning and extremely low body fat for more than two years, starting with the early stages of the project and continuing through to the reshoots they've been doing this spring," the insider added. They added that Jaafar was equally burdened by his lack of power and control over the movie.
The source alleged the situation was "frustrating" for Jaafar because he feared the biopic's final cut might fail to embody the critical aspects of Michael's life, career, and his infamous sexual abuse allegations. The late musician's sister, Janet Jackson, also attempted to ensure the movie's success.
Michael Jackson's Sister Honored Him By Pausing Biopic Talks
The Blast covered Janet's touching gesture in honor of her late brother's memory, revealing she refused to launch her own biopic until his was released. A source shed light on the situation, claiming the cultural icon did not wish to steal the spotlight and allow her family to enjoy Michael's moment.
The source noted Janet was "extremely curious about how it's all going to turn out," claiming she held off on making any biopic decisions until she saw the outcome of Michael's movie. They added that she wasn't worried in the long run because her story differed from her brother's.
"From her unlikely breakthrough in the late eighties to her three marriages, to 'nipple gate,' Janet has had a crazy career and made music that went around the world," the source said about the singer's life.
Antoine Fuqua directs Michael's biopic, which features Hollywood veterans Nia Long and Colman Domingo.
Can Michael Jackson's biopic debut in April 2026, or will it suffer another postponement?
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