Michael Biopic Adds $15M Reshoots, Ends on Bad Tour
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- Michael – the film underwent 22 days of reshoots in June 2025, adding $15 million to its budget.
- Jackson estate – paid the $15 million reshoot cost and secured an equity stake in the film.
- Variety – reported that the original third act, which centered on the molestation allegations, was scrapped due to a settlement preventing Jordan Chandler’s depiction.
- Michael – now ends with a Bad‑tour scene showing Jackson at his career zenith, replacing the scandal‑focused original ending.
- Graham King – says the film’s original 3½‑hour cut will be split into two movies, with enough material for at least one sequel.
- Lionsgate – scheduled the theatrical release for Friday, April 24.
Why it matters: The Jackson estate gains an equity stake and recoups the $15 million reshoot expense, while the film’s budget swells to roughly $170 million, raising the financial stakes for Lionsgate. By replacing the scandal‑focused climax with a triumphant Bad‑tour scene, the movie may attract a broader audience but also sidesteps the controversy that originally defined its narrative.
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