Michael was directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Jaafar Jackson, Jermaine’s son, as his uncle. Its release moved from April 2025 to October 2025 and then to April 2026. [1][3]
Variety reported that the original cut ended with the 1993 allegations, and that estate lawyers then found a clause in the 1994 Chandler settlement barring any depiction of Jordan Chandler in a film. The act was cut and replaced in 22 days of reshoots in June 2025 that cost $10 to 15 million, paid by the estate, which has a stake in the film. [1][5]
In comments about the accusers reported by Variety from his New Yorker interview, Fuqua said “sometimes people do some nasty things for some money”. [2] John Branca, one of the executors, appears in the film as a character, played by Miles Teller. Critics noted that it ends before the allegations become the story. [4]
The film earned more than $1 billion worldwide. [3] It is a celebration of the music made by people with a financial interest in the legacy, and it should be watched as that.
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