When did Lionsgate announce the 2026 film Michael?

Lionsgate announced the 2026 film Michael in February 2022.

The announcement established Lionsgate’s involvement with the project and identified the film as a planned biographical feature about Michael Jackson. At that stage, producer Graham King and screenwriter John Logan were already connected with the project through its earlier development.

The announcement date is separate from the first report about the project. Development had been reported in November 2019, when King was said to have secured the rights. Antoine Fuqua was announced as director in January 2023, followed by the casting of Jaafar Jackson as the lead.

Lionsgate’s announcement also predates Universal Pictures’ October 2023 agreement to distribute the film internationally. Distribution arrangements, casting news, and the start of filming happened over several later stages rather than all at once.