The Michael Jackson biopic from Lionsgate, starring the late King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, has been delayed for a third time amid ongoing issues with both the production process and the late singer’s estate.

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, Graham King-produced 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. 

Sources told the outlet that part of the delay is tied to ‘distribution plans’ for the motion picture, which is also slated to be released via Imax screens. 

Jaafar, who is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, filmed scenes for the biopic last year in Los Angeles.

The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic from Lionsgate, starring the late King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson (pictured in a promotional shot for the movie), has been delayed for a third time 

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. The late King of Pop pictured in 2006 in London

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.

The Antoine Fuqua-directed movie, titled Michael, stars the late King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role. Pictured with Nia Long in 2024 in LA 

Jafar last year took to Instagram showing off his efforts mimicking the late Beat It artist 

Jackson was pictured onstage in the Netherlands in 1992

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.