Michael Jackson Biopic’s NEW UPDATE OUT; Film faces delay

Antoine Fuqua's highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," might be stretched into a two-part saga. This potential expansion could push back the film's original release date, which was set for October 3rd.

Sources close to the project have revealed to Deadline that Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International are exploring the possibility of splitting the film into two installments.

Despite wrapping principal photography in May, the film, with a reported budget of $155 million, is undergoing script revisions and reshoots, according to Variety. John Logan's screenplay is being reworked, while director Antoine Fuqua, 58, and producer Graham King, 62, known for their work on "Bohemian Rhapsody," are overseeing the project.

The film stars Michael's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, 27, in his acting debut, portraying the late singer. The cast also includes Colman Domingo, 54, and Nia Long, 53, who will portray Michael's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller, 37, is set to play John Branca, Michael's long-time attorney and advisor. Larenz Tate, 48, will embody Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, while Laura Harrier, 34, takes on the role of music executive Suzanne de Passe. Kat Graham, 34, will portray Diana Ross.

The ensemble cast also includes Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark, KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones.

Speaking to Variety earlier this year, Colman discussed his approach to playing Joe Jackson.

I’m always curious about the making of a person. With Joe Jackson, we have an idea about him, or the way he moved through the world and was a very strong and formidable human being.

- Colman

“And for me, I was like, ‘Yeah, but he also created some legendary performers and this legacy of a family.’ I’m like, I want to know who that man is."

He added: “I had to go on the inside and find out everything that I love about Joe Jackson: what his tools were for survival in the world, the tools that he gave to his children, whether it was the way he reared his children or being from where he was, I want to examine all of that. It was about really building a very complex, complete human being with a soul. I was very happy to lend whatever I could to play Joe Jackson."