Michael Jackson Biopic Forced To Rewrite Part of Script Due To Child Abuse Settlement Clause

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson Biopic Forced To Rewrite Part of Script Due To Child Abuse Settlement Clause

The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic has reportedly hit a major roadblock due to an old legal agreement.

Insider reports claim the film’s third act, centered on the 1993 child-molestation allegations against Jackson, must be rewritten. A settlement from the ’90s reportedly prohibits dramatizing the Chandler family’s story—a key component of the original script.

 

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In case you’re unfamiliar, Evan Chandler, a dentist and screenwriter based in Los Angeles, accused Jackson of s*xually abusing his 13-year-old son, Jordan. While a police investigation found no evidence against the pop star, the Chandlers later made the story public and sued Jackson, resulting in a financial settlement.

To complicate matters more, an estate executor allegedly failed to notify filmmakers of this restriction until after the $150 million production had wrapped. Reshoots are now in the works, with the Jackson estate covering costs, though the revised script still awaits final approval.

Despite the setbacks, Michael is now slated for an October 2025 release, postponed from its original April debut.

Do you think the biopic can overcome these challenges and hit its new release date?