Michael Jackson Biopic Needs Major Reshoots After Discovery of Past Legal Agreement with Molestation Accuser: Report

Michael, the upcoming movie about Michael Jackson made in cooperation with his family, is reportedly in need of a major overhaul due to unforeseen legal reasons.

According to a Jan. 23 report from Puck, the producers behind the already-filmed project are facing a "nightmare scenario," working to rewrite and do reshoots after lawyers realized a clause in a settlement made with one of Jackson's former accusers presented an issue.

Jackson, who died in 2009 at age 50, was accused in 1993 of sexually abusing 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. The musician settled with the Chandler family out of court for a reported $25 million.

Part of that settlement, according to Puck's multiple sources, is an agreement that the Chandlers can never be mentioned or dramatized in a movie. The outlet claims the Chandler saga was a key "backbone" of the movie, written by John Logan, and that legally binding agreement was overlooked when the script was previously vetted and approved.

A source close to the production tells PEOPLE Jan. 24, "The Michael Jackson biopic is not in total chaos. The inflammatory headlines about the moving halting are simply not true. The film is moving forward, and reshoots are happening in March."

Spokespersons for Lionsgate (the film's distributor), producer King and attorney Jonathan Steinsapir (who represents the Jackson estate) did not respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment about the reports.

Related: The Michael Jackson Biopic: All About the Fictionalized Retelling of the Popstar's Life

Producer Graham King's company GK Films (also behind the 2018 Oscar-winning Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody) announced in May 2024 that Michael had finished filming.

Once slated for an April 18, 2025, theatrical release, in November Michael was postponed by six months to its current release date of Oct. 3.

The Jackson estate has repeatedly denied abuse accusations made against the late star. He was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005. Additional allegations were aired out in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, prompting an ongoing legal battle.

Among the producers of Michael are co-executors of the Jackson estate John Branca and John McClain. The film also stars the singer's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, 28, in the lead role. It's directed by Training Day's Antoine Fuqua.

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A previously released logline for the movie said it brings an "honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated" Jackson.

"The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances," that official synopsis added.

The cast of Michael also includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, plus Miles Teller as lawyer Branca.

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