The hotly-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic had its release date delayed by six months due to legal issues over dramatizing sexual abuse accuser Jordan Chandler and his family. Michael, starring the King of Pop's nephew Jaafar Jackson, was originally set for release on April 18, 2025 but Lionsgate announced last November the film will hit theaters months later on Oct. 3, 2025.
![[In 1993 Chandler won a reported $23million settlement from Jackson after his father Evan Chandler launched accusations that MJ sexually abused him at the age of 13. The singer was never charged over the allegations - pictured 1992]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/19/94487967-0-In_1993_Chandler_won_a_reported_23million_settlement_from_Jackso-m-3_1737746359781.jpg)
In 1993 Chandler won a reported $23million settlement from Jackson after his father Evan Chandler launched accusations that MJ sexually abused him at the age of 13. The singer was never charged over the allegations. Now Puck co-founder Matthew Belloni reports the film's storyline, the conclusion of which 'hinges specifically on the impact of the Chandler circus' will have to be rewritten and reshot.
![[It was claimed that as part of the settlement the Jackson family signed with Chandler, they are prevented from ever dramatizing the Chandler family or the incident - Jaafar pictured in the film]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/18/80243889-14045889-Michael_was_originally_set_for_release_on_April_18_2025_but_Lion-a-1_1737741978015.jpg)
It was claimed that as part of the settlement the Jackson family signed with Chandler, they are prevented from ever dramatizing the Chandler family or the incident. It was further claimed that part of the deal was not revealed to Michael producers and director Antoine Fuqua until last fall, when the $150million biopic had competed filming.
![[MJ faced trial in Santa Maria, California in 2005 in connection with claims of child sexual abuse, of which he was acquitted]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/18/85820565-14045889-The_film_is_expected_to_cover_all_aspects_of_Jackson_s_life_and_-a-3_1737741978155.jpg)
The hotly-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic had its release date delayed by six months due to legal issues over dramatizing sexual abuse accuser Jordan Chandler and his family - pictured Jaafar Jackson as MJ in the film. Belloni writes: 'In the script I read – which I’m told was close to final, but obviously these things are often revised – a tense sequence involves Branca (Miles Teller), Johnnie Cochran (Derek Luke), and other Jackson lawyers discussing whether to pay off Chandler and his family.”.
![[Jackson was pictured onstage on London in 1987]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/24/18/85820575-14045889-Jackson_was_pictured_onstage_on_London_in_1987-a-6_1737741978324.jpg)
