The King of Pop has always been a magnet for high-stakes drama, but the latest revelation surrounding the blockbuster biopic Michael proves that his estate is still navigating a legal and financial minefield long after his passing. According to new reports from TMZ and Bloomberg, the film’s production was rocked by a massive legal blunder that resulted in a $25 million payout to the film’s top brass and a total restructuring of the movie’s narrative.

Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King were the primary beneficiaries of this “emergency” funding, which was released by the Michael Jackson estate to cover the costs—and the creative frustrations—of reshooting the film’s entire third act.

The heart of the issue lies in the 1993 sexual abuse allegations made by Jordan Chandler, a case that ended in a highly publicized 1994 settlement. While the biopic was originally intended to cover Jackson’s life into the 1990s, the estate’s attorneys reportedly overlooked a specific, ironclad clause in that settlement.

The clause strictly prohibited the use of Jordan Chandler’s name or depiction for commercial purposes. Unaware of this restriction, Fuqua and his team had already produced several pivotal scenes dramatizing the 1993 scandal. By the time the legal team realized the error, millions of dollars had been spent on footage that was legally un-releasable.

To avoid an injunction that could have shelved the entire project, the estate ordered an immediate “strip-and-reshoot” operation. The 1993 allegations were completely excised, and the film was retooled to end on a much higher note: the conclusion of the 1988 “Bad” World Tour.

Reshooting a third act isn’t just about the cost of cameras and catering; it involves renegotiating the contracts of Hollywood’s elite. Representatives for Fuqua and King reportedly argued that the sudden shift in the film’s scope “potentially hindered” box-office grosses by removing the most controversial and talked-about chapter of Jackson’s life.

To keep the “honchos” on board and compensate for the extra weeks of labor, the estate opened its coffers:

Antoine Fuqua: Originally slated for $10 million, his pay was boosted by an extra $15 million.

Graham King: His $6 million deal was increased by $10 million.

In total, the estate shelled out an additional $25 million just in creative fees, not including the actual production costs of the new scenes. For the estate, it was a necessary price to pay to protect the “sanitized” image of the pop star and avoid a legal war with the Chandler family.

The version of Michael that debuted in theaters this past Friday is a celebration of Jackson’s genius rather than an investigation into his controversies. By stopping the clock in 1988—five years before the first public accusation surfaced—the film remains firmly in the “golden era” of MJ’s career.

This narrative choice has created a massive rift between audiences and professional film critics.

The Scoreboard:

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 97%

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score: 37%

Fans have flocked to the theaters, praising the electrifying performances and the focus on Jackson’s musical legacy. Critics, however, have been far more scathing, with many calling the film a “one-sided PR exercise” and “historical revisionism.” Many reviewers noted that the film feels “incomplete,” likely sensing the absence of the third act that was left on the cutting room floor.

Despite the critical drubbing and the $25 million legal hiccup, Michael is projected to win the box office this weekend. The sheer financial success has already sparked talk of a follow-up.

Lionsgate, the studio behind the film, has reportedly indicated that a sequel covering the 1990s and 2000s—including the allegations—is not off the table. However, any such project would require a team of lawyers to navigate the same settlement clauses that nearly derailed this film.

For now, the estate seems content with its victory. They managed to produce a hit that keeps the focus on the music, even if it cost them a $25 million “premium” to make the controversy disappear. Whether the story of the man in the mirror continues into a second flick remains to be seen, but for this weekend, Michael is once again the undisputed King of the Box Office.