The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic has been delayed six months

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has been pushed back by six months.

The movie - which stars the King of Pop’s nephew Jaafar Jackson as the legendary singer - was initially slated to hit cinemas in April of next year, but Lionsgate has now confirmed it is moving the film to October.

Michael is being helmed by The Equalizer director Antoine Fuqua and produced by Bohemian Rhapsody’s Graham King alongside the co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson John Branca and John McClain.

Previously, Fuqua teased the picture would include “the good, bad and the ugly” parts of the Thriller chart-topper’s life and career.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Fuqua said: “Just to tell the facts as we know it, about the artist, about the man, about the human being. You know, the good, bad and the ugly.”

The 59-year-old director added he was “blown away” by how much Jaafar – the son of Michael's brother Jermaine Jackson – was able to channel his uncle, especially his dancing and singing.

The filmmaker said: “It’s uncanny how much he's like Michael. Sounds like him, dances like him, sings. It's really uncanny.

“Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away.”

The last update about Michael came in February when it was revealed all the members of the Jackson 5 had been cast.

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures announced eight actors will portray the ‘ABC’ hitmakers – Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie - at various stages of their lives in the movie, with Jamal R. Henderson and Jayden Harville starring as the older and younger versions of Jermaine, Tre Horton and Jaylen Lyndon Hunger due to portray Marlon, Rhyan Hill and Judah Edwards will play Tito, and Joseph David-Jones and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre will star as Jackie.

Producer King said at the time: “The truly epic nature of this film required a total of 10 actors with the talent to portray the Jackson 5 through the years.

“I'm thrilled to bring this extraordinary group of actors and performers to worldwide audiences in this film.”

- Bang! Showbiz and republished with permission