The Biggest Biopic Ever? Much-Edited ‘Michael’ Set to Hit Theaters

The Jacksons performing during 1984’s Victory Tour. Photo Credit: Michael Goulding

The biggest music biopic ever? A heavily edited version of Michael is about to hit theaters, but can it top Bohemian Rhapsody at the box office? We’re about to find out.

As we reported closer to April’s start, advance ticket sales are pointing to strong fan demand for Michael, which stars the King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson. Meanwhile, Lionsgate higher-ups left the door open for a sequel when discussing the film – indicating as well that these plans would depend on the box office showing of Michael, however.

This ties back to the “heavily edited” descriptor. With a roughly 130-minute runtime, Antoine Fuqua-directed Michael reportedly racked up some four hours of usable footage when filming and, per April 2025 rumblings, would therefore be split into two movies.

Would the unused footage be enough to get part two over the finish line? If not, how much fresh filming (and writing, casting, directing, and editing) would the process require?

Furthermore, different reports yet identified extensive reshoots in 2025 related to a decades-old settlement concerning allegations of sexual abuse from Jordan Chandler. How much of the extra footage is therefore unsuitable for inclusion in the possible sequel?

(More recently, four members of the Cascio family, having long stood by Michael Jackson, accused him of being “a serial child predator” in a late-February lawsuit against his estate. The estate refuted the claims and today moved to compel arbitration under a January 2020 “acquisition and consulting agreement.”)

While those questions are interesting, concrete answers are a ways off. For now, all eyes are on the box office results of Michael, which technically premiered in Berlin on April 10th.

As we reported, that premiere coincided with a Global Fan Celebration. Cast members were on hand, and according to social posts from influencers and Universal Pictures, so were multiple members of Jackson’s family.

Conspicuously absent from the event: Paris and Janet Jackson, the latter of whom reportedly criticized the film during a family-only screening last month. Of course, the rumored fracture isn’t exactly a positive when it comes to selling Michael tickets, but it remains to be seen whether the feud will materially affect box office results.

Regarding other attendees, plenty of superfans made their way to the event, and their glowing assessments of the film aren’t a surprise. As for ostensibly impartial critics’ opinions, there’s reportedly a review embargo in place until April 21st, three days before Michael’s stateside premiere.

Said embargo isn’t preventing Redditors from sharing their thoughts. One self-described Jackson diehard and early screener summed up the movie as an enjoyable (albeit sanitized) viewing experience that may strike a chord with superfans but not necessarily casual audience members.

In the bigger picture, Lionsgate and the Jackson estate definitely aren’t alone in hoping for a smash hit.

Sony Music previously paid a reported $600 million for half of Jackson’s catalog in what would therefore be the highest-value song-rights transaction in history for a solo artist. Solid results from Michael (not to mention the potential sequel) would certainly drum up fresh interest in and unlock new revenue from the already-prominent body of work.

Following all manner of music IP buyouts, this reality hasn’t been lost on purchasers; A Complete Unknown released in 2024 after Sony Music bought Bob Dylan’s catalog, and though its own box office showing was underwhelming, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere premiered last year.