‘Michael’ Biopic Reportedly Faces Budget Woes Due To Digital Noses & a 4-Hour Cut—Lionsgate Eyes Two-Part Release

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‘Michael‘ is a biographical musical drama that delves into the life story of the renowned singer, songwriter, and dancer, Michael Jackson. Guided by director Antoine Fuqua, Jaafar Jackson, who happens to be Michael’s nephew, makes his debut on the big screen alongside other talented actors such as Colman Domingo and Nia Long.

The upcoming film traces the life of Michael Jackson, starting from his days with the Jackson 5 as a child, all the way through to his passing in 2009. It is scheduled for release in both the United States and worldwide on October 3, 2025.

The film, initially scheduled for release on April 18, 2025, has now been postponed by six months. It appears that this delay is a result of various contentious issues as suggested by inside sources.

This past week, it came to light through a Puck report that Antoine Fuqua’s biopic underwent a complete re-shoot of the final act, owing to some complex legal issues. New information has surfaced, depicting a production that was incredibly disorganized.

As reported by ‘The InSneider,’ the movie’s creation was labeled as a “complete disaster,” marked by multiple setbacks and disturbances in the year 2023. The filming process didn’t get underway until January 2024.

Preliminary responses indicate that Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s relative, offers a stunning portrayal of the legendary performer, effectively embodying Jackson’s visual style and character using substantial makeup effects.

Nevertheless, even with initial optimistic feedback, the project has surpassed its budget by tens of millions – a significant portion being attributed to the digital nose modification planned for Jackson’s face during post-production. This addition aims to recreate the singer’s changing appearance throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

Beyond financial issues, the Jackson family’s frequent involvement on set has led to friction. Their overly protective actions were said to have complicated production, leading director Fuqua to manage from his van to avoid conflicts with the family. Crew members jokingly called him “Vantoine” in reference to his unique way of directing from within the van.

In response to Sneider’s question, the representatives of Fuqua justified his choice to direct from his vehicle, stating that it was merely his unique approach or style.

As a cinephile, I found myself immersed in the latest cut of this movie that stretched nearly four hours, yet it left me yearning for more. With reshoots scheduled for March, whispers abound that Lionsgate might consider dividing the film into two parts as a strategy to offset the high production costs.

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2025-01-29 20:14