The upcoming biopic about Michael Jackson hit a major curveball, reportedly spending $15 million on reshoots after production learned it couldn’t include scenes tied to legal allegations against the singer.
Michael, the film, is set to screen in U.K. theatres on April 22, charting Jackson’s rise to global superstardom. When will you be able to see it in theatres in Canada/North America? Nothing released. Yet.
Jaafar Jackson steps into the lead role, portraying the King of Pop at his peak. According to Variety, the film will now wrap during the success of Jackson’s Bad era, rather than the more controversial ending originally planned.
The report claims the scrapped third act focused heavily on allegations that surfaced during Jackson’s life.
AND HOW COULD IT NOT? Of course the Jackson estate doesn’t want that part of Jackson’s career/life in the spotlight.
You may remember, back in 1993, Evan Chandler accused Jackson of abusing his son, claims the singer denied. The case was settled financially in 1994.
Years later, additional allegations were brought forward by choreographer Wade Robson and former child actor James Safechuck. Jackson’s estate has consistently denied all claims.
According to the report, the production initially aimed to present these accusations from Jackson’s perspective. But late in the process, filmmakers discovered a legal clause tied to the Chandler settlement that blocked them from portraying the child involved on screen.
That triggered a 22-day reshoot, reportedly costing $15 million, covered by Jackson’s estate. The revised version now shifts its emotional weight to Jackson’s relationship with his father, Joe Jackson, played by Colman Domingo, during the height of his fame.
