Latest news with #OfftheWall
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Michael Jackson biopic facing yet another delay
The Michael Jackson biopic is facing another delay. Jaafar Jackson is set to star as the singer in the movie, but Lionsgate have now confirmed the film will not be released as originally scheduled in 2025. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, it is now expected to premiere after April 1, 2026, according to Variety. The update was shared by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer during the company's Q4 2025 earnings call. He said in a statement: 'In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we're excited about the three-and-a-half hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy and timing in the next few weeks. 'I would note that it is likely we will move 'Michael' out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal '26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal 2027 slate.' The biopic stars 27-year-old Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of the late singer, and marks his first major acting role. While 'Michael' had been a centrepiece of Lionsgate's 2023 CinemaCon presentation, no footage was shown at this year's event. The film's initial release was planned for 3 October 2025. But Variety last month reported the project may be split into two parts, contributing to the postponement. Filming for 'Michael' wrapped principal photography in May 2024, but the script, written by John Logan, is currently undergoing revisions ahead of planned reshoots. The production carries a reported budget of around $155 million. In addition to Jaafar, the cast features 54-year-old Colman Domingo and 53-year-old Nia Long as Michael Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller, 37, plays John Branca, the artist's longtime attorney and advisor. And Larenz Tate, 48, will appear as Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, while 34-year-old Laura Harrier plays Suzanne de Passe, a pioneering female music executive. Kat Graham, 35, portrays Diana Ross. The ensemble cast also includes 28-year-old Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, 54-year-old Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, and 36-year-old Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones. Michael and Quincy Jones famously collaborated on the albums Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), and Bad (1987.)
Perth Now
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Michael Jackson biopic set for additional shoot
The Michael Jackson biopic is set for 22 days of additional photography. 'Michael' - which is being made with the cooperation of the late singer's family and stars his nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role – will undertake more shooting in June, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This comes amid recent reports that it could be split into two movies, with sources claiming the upcoming June shoot will be an attempt to expand what was originally half of the film, into one full feature. Insiders have told THR that the 'new film will now end with Jackson leaving the Jackson 5 after the release of his first solo album, 'Off the Wall'.' The film was originally due for release in 2026 but it has now been pushed to 2027 as studio Lionsgate explores options as to whether it should stay as one film or become a multi-part story. During a call about quarterly earnings, Deadline reported Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson said: 'At the end, when you look at the music library, when you look at what Michael Jackson was able to deliver in terms of music and contributions to art, whether or not that can be fit into one movie comfortably or not is a question that we are absolutely asking. 'We'll be ready to answer more specifically in the coming weeks.' Adam's comments came in response to a question about why the film had been delayed, noting CEO Jon Feltheimer had referenced a three-and-a-half hour cut in his opening remarks. Adam added: 'Any number of the biggest motion pictures over the last ten or 20 years have had first cuts of movies that were well in excess three and a half hours. 'And when Jon mentioned the footage, it wasn't a cut, it was an accumulation of scenes that we've seen.' Jon had explained the film was being pushed back during the conference call. He said: 'In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we're excited about the 3 and a half hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy and timing in the next few weeks. I would note that it is likely we will move Michael out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal '26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal 27 slate."
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Michael Jackson's Biopic Postponed, To Release On...
Washington DC: The Michael Jackson biopic titled 'Michael' release date is expected to be delayed to 2026. It is being directed by Antoine Fuqua. During Lionsgate's Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Jon Feltheimer shared an update on the film starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, who makes his screen debut in the project. "In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we're excited about the 3 1/2 hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy & timing in the next few weeks. I would note that it is likely we will move 'Michael' out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal '26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal '27 slate," said Feltheimer as quoted by Variety. The fiscal calendar ends on March 31, 2026, so Feltheimer's statement indicates that the film (or films) will likely debut after April 1, 2026. Last month, Variety reported that the film would likely be split into two parts and be pushed from the initially announced release date of Oct. 3, 2025. As per Feltheimer's statement, the film is likely to debut after April 1, 2026, as the fiscal calendar of 2026 ends on March 31. The highly awaited 'Michael' was a major part of last year's Lionsgate CinemaCon presentation, however, no footage from the project was shown during this year's outing. The film is produced by "Bohemian Rhapsody's" Graham King. The principal photography of the film was wrapped in May 2024, but John Logan's script is in the process of being revised in advance of reshoots, reported Variety. As per the outlet, the'Michael,' stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long as family heads Joe and Katherine Jackson, while Miles Teller will play Jackson's attorney and advisor John Branca. Larenz Tate will star as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, while Laura Harrier will portray pioneering female music executive Suzanne de Passe and Kat Graham will appear as the legendary Diana Ross. Other cast members of the film include Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Michael's older sister; Liv Symone as Gladys Knight; Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark; KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Jackson's former security-turned-trusted friend and confidante Bill Bray; and Kendrick Sampson as industry icon Quincy Jones, who first met Michael Jackson when he was just 12 years old, reported Variety. The pair would go on to collaborate on three of Michael's most successful albums: 1979's "Off the Wall," 1982's "Thriller", and 1987's "Bad."
Mint
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Michael Jackson biopic Michael delayed, likely to release in 2026
Washington DC [US], May 23 (ANI): The Michael Jackson biopic titled 'Michael' release date is expected to be delayed to 2026, reported Variety. It is being directed by Antoine Fuqua. During Lionsgate's Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Jon Feltheimer shared an update on the film starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, who makes his screen debut in the project. "In regard to our Michael Jackson biopic, we're excited about the 3 1/2 hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy & timing in the next few weeks. I would note that it is likely we will move 'Michael' out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal '26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal '27 slate," said Feltheimer as quoted by Variety. The fiscal calendar ends on March 31, 2026, so Feltheimer's statement indicates that the film (or films) will likely debut after April 1, 2026. Last month, Variety reported that the film would likely be split into two parts and be pushed from the initially announced release date of Oct. 3, 2025. As per Feltheimer's statement, the film is likely to debut after April 1, 2026, as the fiscal calendar of 2026 ends on March 31. The highly awaited 'Michael' was a major part of last year's Lionsgate CinemaCon presentation, however, no footage from the project was shown during this year's outing. The film is produced by "Bohemian Rhapsody's" Graham King. The principal photography of the film was wrapped in May 2024, but John Logan's script is in the process of being revised in advance of reshoots, reported Variety. As per the outlet, the'Michael,' stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long as family heads Joe and Katherine Jackson, while Miles Teller will play Jackson's attorney and advisor John Branca. Larenz Tate will star as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, while Laura Harrier will portray pioneering female music executive Suzanne de Passe and Kat Graham will appear as the legendary Diana Ross. Other cast members of the film include Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Michael's older sister; Liv Symone as Gladys Knight; Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark; KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Jackson's former security-turned-trusted friend and confidante Bill Bray; and Kendrick Sampson as industry icon Quincy Jones, who first met Michael Jackson when he was just 12 years old, reported Variety. The pair would go on to collaborate on three of Michael's most successful albums: 1979's "Off the Wall," 1982's "Thriller", and 1987's "Bad." (ANI)
Forbes
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Michael Jackson Reaches A Special Milestone — Again
Michael Jackson's The Essential hits 200 weeks on the U.K. albums chart as the compilation's ... More twentieth anniversary is fast approaching. AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 01: Photo of Michael JACKSON; Portrait of Michael Jackson, wearing hat and sunglasses (Photo by Bob King/Redferns) Michael Jackson has been gone for more than a decade, but his music hasn't lost a bit of its luster. In fact, in many ways, it seems to be growing in popularity with each passing year. New generations keep discovering the King of Pop's hits, while longtime fans continue streaming and buying his songs and albums in large numbers every day. Some of his albums chart fairly regularly, but the focus these days for the late star is on compilations, which keep his name on the weekly rankings. One of Jackson's most popular compilations is once again performing extremely well in the United Kingdom. It's doing more than just hanging on, as this time around it helps him reach another incredible milestone. The Essential by Michael Jackson currently appears on two important rankings in the U.K. The compilation album keeps at No. 9 on the Official Albums Streaming chart, which lists the most-played full-lengths on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and others. Amazingly, in the year 2025, Jackson once again claims one of the top 10 most-streamed titles in the country. The collection also moves north to No. 14 (up from No. 17) on the all-encompassing Official Albums chart, which measures the most consumed albums across all formats. While a small rise may not seem like much, it's on that tally where The Essential makes history and joins an elite group within the superstar's own discography. The Essential has now lived on the Official Albums chart for 200 weeks. That sum is not made up of one consecutive stay, as the set has fallen off the list before, only to return. Only four of Jackson's releases have displayed that longevity in the U.K. The compilation joins two of his traditional studio albums, Thriller and Off the Wall, which have already made it to the 200-week milestone. Thriller, often considered one of the greatest albums of all time, leads the way among studio LPs, with 261 frames. Off the Wall isn't far behind, with 225 turns spent somewhere on the ranking. The other Jackson title that's gone even further is another greatest hits set. Number Ones stands in a league of its own, having racked up 587 weeks on the Official Albums chart. That set, which isn't present on the list at the moment, is still beating every other offering from the pop icon twice over. The Essential was first released back in the summer of 2005. The double-disc compilation originally featured 38 of Jackson's biggest hits, covering his legendary catalog from the Jackson 5 era in the late 1960s to his solo work through 2001's 'You Rock My World.' Throughout the years, it's been re-released several times in different formats, and it has moved millions of copies around the globe.
