Story perspectives

Michael Jackson Biopic Opens After $15M Reshoots, Faces Criticism

4/25/2026

Summary

Michael Film Controversy

Michael opened on April 24, 2026 when Kat Graham said Diana Ross scenes were cut for legal reasons.
Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael with Colman Domingo, Nia Long and Miles Teller, while Antoine Fuqua directs and John Logan writes.
A settlement with Jordan Chandler barred any mention of the 1993 lawsuit, prompting $15 million of reshoots and projecting a $65-$70 million opening and $150 million worldwide, while Paris Jackson calls the film inaccurate and pandering.

Summary

Jackson Biopic Criticized

The biopic opens with a CGI chimp named Bubbles that has bulging, Gollum-like eyes and a deep-fake gait.
Director Michael Fuqua highlights Michael Jackson’s Peter Pan obsession, animal companions, monster-movie love, multiple nose-jobs, and a Pepsi set scalp-fire accident.
Reviewers say the biopic feels like a sanitized press release that omits Jackson’s sexuality and racial anxieties, despite several Jackson siblings serving as executive producers and Janet Jackson’s absence.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994 civil settlement that paid Jordan Chandler’s family roughly $23 million and barred any future depiction of the case, Michael Jackson’s estate faced a new obstacle in 2026: the biopic “Michael” could not include the scandal. Sony-Paramount therefore allocated an additional $10 million for reshoots, reshaping the film’s narrative and release plan.

1 of 3

Michael Film Controversy

Michael opened on April 24, 2026 when Kat Graham said Diana Ross scenes were cut for legal reasons.
Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael with Colman Domingo, Nia Long and Miles Teller, while Antoine Fuqua directs and John Logan writes.
A settlement with Jordan Chandler barred any mention of the 1993 lawsuit, prompting $15 million of reshoots and projecting a $65-$70 million opening and $150 million worldwide, while Paris Jackson calls the film inaccurate and pandering.

1 / 3