Janet Jackson hits pause on biopic offers 'out of respect' for late brother Michael’s movie, says source

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Janet Jackson will hold off on releasing any life or career projects until the highly anticipated biopic 'Michael' about her late brother, Michael Jackson, premieres.

The music icon reportedly declined all offers for a biographical film or series, choosing to let the King of Pop have the spotlight for now.

Janet Jackson puts family first amid Michael Jackson's biopic release

Janet Jackson is reportedly delaying any personal career retrospective out of respect for her brother Michael, as well as their family.

“Janet is holding off on any career retrospective project of her own for the time being out of respect for the rest of her family,” a source told InTouchWeekly.

The insider said Janet doesn't want to take attention away from her brother or “loved ones, including her niece and nephews, who control Michael Jackson's estate.”

Her nephew Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, plays Michael in the upcoming biopic 'Michael'.

The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has full permission from Michael’s estate and will chronicle his life from childhood with the Jackson 5 to his rise to global fame and tragic death in 2009.

According to the film’s synopsis, the movie covers events “from his childhood of being the star of the Jackson 5, through times of abuse by his father Joe Jackson, to his hit 'Thriller', and the purchase of Neverland Valley, into his tragic and unsuspected death on June 25, 2009.”

Jackson family unites to ensure Michael’s story is told accurately in new biopic

The Jackson family reportedly united to ensure the film presents Michael’s story accurately.

“The effort everybody in the extended family has put into getting [the biopic] Michael off the ground — it's truly been a group effort,” the source claimed.

The insider also noted Janet’s interest in the project: “Janet, like everybody else, is extremely curious about how it’s all going to turn out.”

For now, Janet is focused on supporting her family and postponing any decisions about sharing her story.

“She's not making any decisions about how she will portray her own legacy until the fate of the 'Michael' movie is determined,” the source added.

Insiders say Janet Jackson’s unique story deserves its own spotlight someday

While Janet Jackson is waiting to share her story, insiders believe her life and career deserve the spotlight one day.

“That said, Janet knows she has an amazing personal and professional story to tell that is totally different from her late brother’s,” said the source.

“From her unlikely breakthrough in the late eighties to her three marriages, to ‘nipple gate,’ Janet has had a crazy career and made music that went around the world,” the insider continued.

“She will get around to telling her story eventually, but right now, Michael’s story comes first and the whole family is rallying to make sure that the movie is successful.”

The project on Michael Jackson's biopic initially wrapped up its principal photography in May 2024 and is set to release on October 3.

However, 'Michael', which carries a roughly $155 million budget, may see the delay as John Logan's script was reportedly in the works for a revision per Variety. 

Also, it may be split into two movies. As a result, the Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International project will likely push its current release date.