Biopic Reshoot Costs Millions Over Missing Rights

The Michael Jackson biopic, titled "Michael," experienced a costly crisis when the estate discovered it did not possess the rights to a pivotal 1993 lawsuit story. This realization meant a substantial portion of the film's latter third had to be reshot, incurring tens of millions of dollars for additional photography. Producer Graham King described the situation as "crazy and surreal," as the film was already completed.

The creative team was compelled to devise a new ending for the movie, which now concludes before any abuse allegations are depicted. This extensive reshoot process, which included crafting a new third act focusing on Jackson escaping his father's influence, delayed the film's release by a year. Originally running over three hours, the revised cut now clocks in at around two hours.

Despite largely negative early reviews, "Michael" is anticipated to perform strongly at the box office, with projections of over $60 million in domestic opening weekend and a global gross exceeding $500 million. The film's success hinges on audiences overlooking Jackson's alleged misconduct to embrace an uplifting, nostalgia-filled narrative, a strategy also seen in Broadway's "MJ the Musical" and the film "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Producers are already considering a follow-up film covering the remainder of Jackson's life, with production potentially beginning later this year for a late 2027 or 2028 release, provided the first installment proves successful. The estate, once burdened by debt, has seen its financial standing improve through various ventures, and "Michael" is expected to further enhance its value by boosting interest in Jackson's music.