Michael Jackson Biopic Reshoots Took 22 Days, Cost $15 Million, and Completely Changed Film’s Ending

The Antoine Fuqua-directed feature, starring Jackson's own nephew Jaafar Jackson, is finally set to hit theaters later this month. The final product, however, will be very different from what was first imagined.

When the long-awaited and legally beleaguered Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” finally arrives in theaters later this month, the Antoine Fuqua-directed feature will look much different from how it was initially intended to.

A new report in Variety holds that the film‘s extensive 2025 reshoots, necessitated by complicated legal matters, have engendered not just some tweaks here and there, but an entirely new third act and an overall theme that’s very unlike its original cut.

The trade’s story holds that the film “was supposed to explore the impact of the [child molestation] allegations on Jackson’s life, with much of its third act devoted to the scandal. … Now, instead of concluding with one of the most ignominious moments in Jackson’s career, ‘Michael’ will end with the pop star still at his zenith. The last scene is set during Jackson’s ‘Bad’ tour, following him as he prepares to take the stage for another electrifying performance, according to a source who has seen the finished film.”

The total cost, beyond the dramatic, narrative, legal, and emotional alterations? Twenty-two more days of production, plus $15 million to the film’s pricetag (initially set at $155 million).

In January 2025, it was reported that a third of the film had to be reshot due to what amounted to a legal misunderstanding. At the time, it was reported that much of the film’s third act centered around the accusations made against Jackson by Jordan Chandler, who alleged that Jackson sexually abused him at the age of 13. But after the film was shot, it was revealed that Jackson’s estate had previously reached a settlement with the Chandler family that prevented Jordan from being featured in any future films about Jackson’s life.

Variety reports that “last June, the cast reassembled for 22 days of additional photography to shoot the new third act and flesh out scenes from earlier in the movie.” While previous production had mostly taken place in Santa Barbara, when it “restarted in Los Angeles, [it] didn’t qualify for state tax rebates. That added $10 million to $15 million to the budget, according to sources with knowledge of similar projects.”

Who paid for those costs? Variety notes that “the Jackson estate shouldered those extra costs because its error necessitated the changes, insiders say. Because it was willing to foot that bill, the estate has an equity stake in the film, according to another individual with knowledge of the production.” The film stars Jackson’s own nephew, Jafaar Jackson, in the title role.

In April 2025, we reported that studio was considering splitting the project into two films, with the first half potentially being delayed to 2026. The second part of that report panned out: The film was moved off an October 2025 release to April of this year (after being moved off an April 2025 date). And, according to early audiences, the film ends at such a point that seems designed to engender an immediate sequel, though no official plans have been announced yet.

But Variety also adds that “because the original cut was more than three and a half hours, [producer Graham] King hopes to turn ‘Michael’ into a two-part story” and it’s believed “there’s enough material for at least one more movie,” potentially including about a third of the material that was cut from “Michael.”

Variety’s reports adds that it’s “unclear how future films would handle the legal battles and abuse allegations that consumed much of Jackson’s final years,” while King “has told the studios he would focus on the singer’s later albums, including 1991’s ‘Dangerous’ and 2001’s ‘Invincible,’ the purchase and construction of Neverland Ranch, as well as ‘his love of animals.'”

You can read the full Variety report right here.

Lionsgate will release “Michael” in theaters on Friday, April 24.