Latest news with #biopic
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Michael Jackson biopic starring late star's nephew is delayed AGAIN after legal debacle and major reshoots
The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic from Lionsgate, starring the late King of Pop's nephew Jaafar Jackson, has been delayed for a third time. The highly-anticipated movie about the Thriller artist is not slated to arrive in theaters worldwide on Friday, April 24, 2026, sources told Deadline Wednesday. The Antoine Fuqua-directed movie, titled Michael, was initially expected in theaters on April 18 of this year, and then pushed back to October 3. Insiders told Deadline that a second motion picture about the musical artist, who died at the age of 50 in June of 2009, currently is in the development process. Jaafar, who is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, filmed scenes for the biopic last year in Los Angeles. He filmed a sequence recreating the iconic Thriller video in March of 2024 in Encino, California; and in May of 2024 in downtown Los Angeles. A trailer for the film aired to a strong reaction in April 2024 at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. In the preview, a voice attributed to that of his mother Katherine Jackson could be heard giving her son words of encouragement. 'There might be some people who think you're different and that's gonna make life a little harder for you,' she said. She continued: 'But you never were like anyone else - Michael, you have a very special light - so make that light shine onto the world.' A voice attributed to Michael Jackson is heard saying, 'When I'm not onstage everything feels foreign to me.' The film is expected to cover all aspects of Jackson's life and career, including his legal issues. Among them include the 1993 lawsuit he settled accusing him of sexual abuse of a child, which he eventually settled. He also faced trial in Santa Barbara, California in 2005 in connection with separate claims of child sexual abuse, of which he was acquitted. The movie also stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long in the roles of Jackson's parents Joe and Katherine Jackson. Rounding out the cast include Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate and Jessica Sula.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Jackson Biopic Moves to April
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' will open in standard theaters and in Imax worldwide on April 24, moving from its earlier October date. Lionsgate is releasing the film domestically, with Universal handling distribution in the rest of the world except for Japan, which is handled by Kino Films. More from Variety Michael Jackson Biopic 'Likely' to Move to 2026 Michael Jackson Biopic Likely Splitting into Two Movies and Delaying Release Date 'Leaving Neverland' Director Dan Reed on Making a Sequel About Michael Jackson Allegations: 'My Goal Is Not to Knock Him Off His Pedestal - It Never Has Been' Antoine Fuqua directs, with John Logan as screenwriter and Jaafar Jackson starring as his late uncle. Graham King, an Oscar winner for 'The Departed,' produces. ''Michael' explores the global superstar's journey to become known to the world as the King of Pop, presenting an intimate look at the life and enduring legacy of one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known,' the synopsis reads. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said in May that the movie was 'likely' to move to 2026. Although it wrapped production in May 2024, the project underwent reshoots and came in with a lengthy initial cut. Earlier, there had been discussion about releasing the film in two parts. The film was last reported to carry a $155 million production budget. 'Michael' also stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long as family heads Joe and Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller plays John Branca, Jackson's attorney and advisor. Larenz Tate plays Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, with Laura Harrier as music executive Suzanne de Passe and Kat Graham will appear as Diana Ross. Other cast members include Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Michael's older sister; Liv Symone as Gladys Knight; Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark; KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Jackson's former security-turned-trusted friend and confidante Bill Bray; and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones, who first met Michael Jackson when he was just 12 years old. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lionsgate & Universal's Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael' Moves To Pre-Summer 2026
Lionsgate and Universal's Michael Jackson biopic Michael is officially moving to Friday, April 24, 2026, and that's a global theatrical release. At the same time, we hear that a second movie about Jackson remains in development. More from Deadline 'Good Fortune' Trailer: Aziz Ansari Comedy With Keanu Reeves & Seth Rogen Headed For TIFF Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden's 'Freaky Tales' Sets HBO Max Premiere Date Lionsgate Marketing Heads JP Richards And Keri Moore Exiting Company We told you at CinemaCon there were distribution plans afoot for this on the Antoine Fuqua directed, Graham King produced feature. Michael will also get a release on Imax screens. The delay with Michael has been twofold, one being length — there was a first cut in excess of three and a half hours. There have also been reports that the initial cut of the movie made references to 13-year old Jordan Chandler, who accused Jackson of molestation, and who the pop singer settled with for $20M in 1994 with no admission of guilt. The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, which led to more shoots on the production. Three-time Oscar nominee John Logan penned the screenplay. Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, plays the King of Pop. Currently, there aren't any major studio wide entries on April 24 next year, hence a great choice for Lionsgate. Michael will open in the wake of New Line/Blumhouse's Lee Cronin's The Mummy and Amazon MGM Studios/Miramax's Liam Neeson starring, Frankie Shaw directed 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank on April 17. Michael will also precede the May 1 release of 20th Century Studios' The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Warner Bros/Legenary's Animal Friends. This is the third time that Michael has moved. The pic's first release date was April 18, 2025 then Oct. 3, 2025. Oscar winner King's previous music biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, won four Oscars and grossed over $910M at the worldwide box office. Kino Films is releasing the movie in Japan while Universal has the rest of the world. Best of Deadline Everything We Know About Season 3 Of 'Euphoria' So Far 'Wednesday' Season 2: Everything We Know About The Cast, Premiere Date & More Everything We Know About 'Only Murders In The Building' Season 5 So Far
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Hollywood bombshell unrecognizable as she transforms into boxer for new movie – can you guess who?
A HUGE A-list actress looked a far cry from her usual glamorous self, as she transformed into a boxer for her latest role. Fans are used to seeing this movie star, 27, impeccably groomed - can you guess who she is? 5 5 5 5 The star in question is actress-of-the-moment Sydney Sweeney. The Hollywood star underwent a major body transformation to portray boxer Christy Martin, 56. In a new picture released to promote the film, the actress looked worlds away from her usual glam self in the upcoming movie which will be released in September. The bio-pic, which is simply called Christy, tells the boxer's incredible story, which saw her once be left for dead. Originally haling from West Virginia, Christy is credited with putting women's boxing on the map. She won 49 fights, with 32 by way of knockout, in a career that began in the late 1980s, and was represented by legendary promoter Don King. However, behind-the-scenes manager James 'Jim' Martin, who she married in 1991, made her life a living hell by beating her physically and mentally. All the while, Christy, who is gay, was wrestling with her sexuality and identity. In 2010, Martin tried to kill Christy by repeatedly stabbing his wife, before shooting her in the chest. Sydney Sweeney stuns in elegant blue dress at glitzy UK premiere of her latest movie The attack reportedly occurred after an argument at home - - somehow she survived the attack. Martin, who was 25 years Christy's senior, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He died in jail last November, while serving his sentence at Graceville Correctional Facility in Florida. Understandably, Christy's astonishing story caught the attention of Hollywood. Speaking about Sydney playing her in the forthcoming film about her incredible life, she said: "I think she is young, hot, talented." She also added that the actress was "making a movie that in 20+ years, fathers will watch with their daughters to make them aware of domestic violence". While Sydney said of Christy: "Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I'm honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all." Christy now works as a promoter and has been married to Lisa Holewyne. 5
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sydney Sweeney Looks Unrecognizable 30 Pounds Heavier As Boxer Christy Martin In Sports Biopic
Sydney Sweeney is going to knock fans over with a feather in her early look as pioneering boxer Christy Martin. In the Toronto International Film Festival's world premiere announcement of 'Christy' on Monday, the 'Euphoria' actor is seen in the ring in full ferociousness as Martin. #TIFF50 World Premiere:🥊 CHRISTYdir. David Michôd — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) July 21, 2025 The former WBC super-welterweight women's champ earned fame by fighting on the undercard of popular pay-per-view bouts involving Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield while becoming the first female boxer to land on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Sweeney's transformation into the International Boxing Hall of Famer, who survived a shooting and stabbing attack by her then-husband, is remarkable. She told W last month that she weight-trained twice a day, ate like a champ, and kickboxed for hours daily to physically prepare for the role. More than 30 pounds later, she had the power to hit home on the screen. 'My body was completely different,' she told W. 'I didn't fit in any of my clothes. I'm usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27. My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, Oh my god. But it was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong.' Last October on Instagram Sweeney offered a glimpse of her bicep-bulging progress on Instagram. 'I've been immersed in training to bring to life the story of an incredible woman—a true champion who fought battles both inside and outside the ring,' Sweeney wrote. 'Her journey is a testament to resilience, strength, and hope, and I'm honored to step into her shoes to share her powerful story with you all.' Sweeney supporters hit back at body-shamers in December amid her transformation ― but she looks ready to rumble in the film festival post. Related... Sydney Sweeney Breaks Silence On Jonathan Davino Relationship Drama Sydney Sweeney And Glen Powell Dating Rumors Have Gone Wild — Here's A Breakdown Sydney Sweeney Silences Her Body-Shamers In An Epic Way
