Michael Jackson biopic sent for major reshoot amid legal violation

Michael Jackson's biopic is entering a "nightmare scenario" as producers behind the already-filmed project have to rewrite and reshoot.

The reworking of the biopic comes after lawyers realised a clause in a settlement made with one of Jackson's former accusers, per a January 23 report by Puck.

The settlement was related to the accusations of sexually abusing a teenager, Jordan Chandler—whom the musician paid off $25 million in an out-of-court settlement.

The one key clause filmmakers overlooked was that the Chandler family can never be mentioned or dramatised in a movie. On the contrary, the Chandlers scandal was made a "backbone" in the initial script by John Logan.

Reshoots for Michael—that stars the singer's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, 28, in the lead role—have been scheduled for March, pushing the initial April 18, 2025, theatrical release to October 3, 2025.

It is pertinent to mention that the Jackson estate has repeatedly denied abuse accusations made against the late star, who died at the age of 50 in 2009.

The Beat It singer was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005. Additional allegations were aired in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, prompting an ongoing legal battle.