Katherine Jackson star ‘quietly fighting’ Lionsgate over Michael Jackson biopic pay

As the Michael Jackson biopic continues to smash box office records, insiders have claimed Katherine Jackson star Nia Long is “quietly fighting” Lionsgate in a pay dispute. 

Since its release, the film has grossed more than $277 million worldwide against a $155 million budget, making it one of the most successful music biopics of all time. 

Getting to this point wasn’t straightforward, as the project underwent timely reshoots to remove the original third act, which addressed the 1993 child sex abuse allegations against the singer. 

Both Long and Colman Domingo, who play Michael’s on-screen parents Katherine and Joe Jackson respectively, spoke about this in a recent interview, saying that the events not included in the first film could be explored in a sequel. 

But according to a report from Matthew Belloni, there may also be issues to iron out before then. 

Contract clause at centre of alleged Michael Jackson biopic pay dispute

In his latest Puck newsletter, Belloni said he’s been told by three sources that Long is “quietly fighting Lionsgate over her compensation on the movie.” 

He went on to say that she has a “favoured nations” clause in her contract, meaning she can’t be paid less than her co-stars. However, the sources claimed that Long discovered she earned less than both Domingo and Miles Teller, who plays Jackson attorney John Branca.

“Not great, if that’s true. She’s now threatening to take the studio to mediation over the discrepancy,” he added. This essentially means Long could push for a formal dispute process to resolve the pay gap, without taking the issue straight to court.

Belloni provided some crucial context to the issue, as while it’s true that Long appears far less than Teller and Domingo, the final film looks a lot different after the cuts and reshoots. 

“Remember that the movie changed significantly from what she signed on for, and in the original script I read, Long’s part was bigger, including a key scene at the end of the film,” he continued. 

“Lionsgate declined to comment, and reps for Long did not respond to my email.” Film Shrine has also contacted Lionsgate for comment. 

Talks of Michael 2 are heating up

Belloni’s report also discusses further details on Michael 2, which Lionsgate chairman Adam Fogelson confirmed is on the cards.

Speaking on Belloni’s The Town podcast, Fogelson said, “There is a massive amount of music and life experiences separate and apart from allegations – a tonne of it – that would fill more than a second movie on its own.”

He noted that some of the things in the original Michael script can’t be included, seemingly referring to the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler due to a clause in his settlement agreement. 

Now, Belloni has shared further details on the potential sequel, saying producer Graham King may step into the role of director instead of Antoine Fuqua.

“That might sound nuts given that King has zero directing credits, but he was very hands-on in coordinating the reshoots and assembling the final cut after legal issues required a total overhaul of the first film,” he added.  

“Plus, if King and Lionsgate want Michael: Part Two to shoot later this year for a 2027 release, that will require replacing Antoine Fuqua.” 

The reason for this is that Fuqua is busy this year with Netflix’s Denzel Washington epic about Hannibal the Great. 

“Fuqua isn’t the only Michael talent with scheduling issues, of course, so punting the shoot until 2027 may still happen,” Belloni explained. 

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Featured image credit: Lionsgate