Michael Jackson Biopic Pushed to April 2026 Release
Jaafar Jackson, the late singer's real-life nephew, will step into the role of Michael Jackson.
ca.billboard.comHere’s the latest on the Michael Jackson film news as of 2026.
- The Michael Jackson biopic, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, is slated for a spring 2026 release, with discussions indicating an April 24, 2026 date for worldwide theaters and IMAX. The project has faced delays and reshoots, extending its timeline beyond earlier fall 2025 expectations. Sources repeatedly note Lionsgate and Universal as involved distributors and producers.[1][2][3][4][5]
- Early reporting suggested the film would focus on Jackson’s rise with the Jackson 5 and his initial solo career up to Off the Wall (1979), though some outlets have floated the idea of a two-film approach to cover later decades in a potential sequel. Filming wrapped around 2024, with post-production extending into 2025.[2][3][5][1]
- Additional media coverage, including industry outlets and fan channels, reinforces the April 2026 target and highlights casting, production scale, and potential split releases as ongoing considerations. Publicly available updates emphasize the scope and intentions behind the project, while specifics may continue to evolve as post-production concludes.[3][4][6][7]
Illustration: a timeline would show initial project announcements, postponements to 2025, then a final push to 2026 with a target April 24 release and 22 days of reshoots referenced in coverage.
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent official statements or compare release date announcements from major outlets in a quick side-by-side summary.
Citations:
- The Hollywood Reporter: Michael Jackson Biopic Moves to Spring 2026 Release[1]
- Rolling Stone: Michael Jackson Biopic Sets April 2026 Release After Delays[2]
- Variety: Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Likely' to Move to 2026[3]
- Billboard: Michael Jackson Biopic Pushed to April 2026 Release[4]
- AXS TV: Michael Jackson Biopic Pushed Out to 2026[5]