The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, ‘Jackson’, is undergoing significant revisions ahead of its release, resulting in a higher budget.
Originally, the film was set to depict the most controversial periods of Jackson’s life, including allegations of child abuse. A 1993 scene featuring him under police lights was included in the initial script. However, all content relating to this chapter has now been removed due to legal concerns.
Lawyers representing the Jackson estate determined that the film could not reference the complainant, Jordan Chandler, or related events.
Consequently, the producers reworked the final segment of the film, replacing the controversial ending with a portrayal of Jackson at the height of his career, specifically a performance from his Bad tour.
The changes required an additional 22 days of shooting and increased the budget by $10 to $15 million, raising the total from the original $155 million. The extra costs are being covered by the Jackson estate.
Jafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, plays the pop icon, while Coleman Domingo portrays his father, Joe Jackson. The story now emphasises Jackson’s music, family life, and complex relationship with his father, while also depicting the 1984 accident in which his hair caught fire during filming, a defining moment in his life.
The release date has been postponed several times and is currently scheduled for spring 2026. Producers are also considering splitting the three-and-a-half-hour film into two parts, with the next stage of Jackson’s life to be explored in a future installment.
Industry analysts predict the film could earn over $55 million in its opening week, with potential worldwide earnings exceeding $700 million.
