Michael Jackson’s biopic, Michael, appears to have shot scenes at the late entertainer’s famed Neverland Ranch, and Us Weekly has all the exclusive details.
According to a film permit obtained by Us, a film named Maven filmed at the massive estate from April 15 to April 20, 2024, and again from April 22 to April 27, 2024. The final shoot date was listed as May 1.
The filing said the production company would be filming interior and exterior dialogue, atmospheric smoke, a small petting zoo and the animals in the petting zoo.
The permit also revealed the film would be shooting a helicopter landing and taking off, “drive up and away” and a “stunt climbing tree.” (Jackson was known to climb trees at Neverland Ranch. During the infamous 2003 documentary Living With Michael Jackson, the entertainer showed reporter Martin Bashir his skills by climbing to the top of a massive tree in his yard.)
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The production was allowed to film from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. at Neverland.
The crew utilized two helicopters, five box trucks, one catering truck, two flatbed trucks, two semitrucks, eight motor homes, 10 pickup trucks and five vans.
Michael, an upcoming biopic about the pop star, is scheduled for release on April 24, 2026. The film was rumored to have used the working title Maven.
The biopic features Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson playing him. Colman Domingo stars as Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, and Nia Long plays his mother, Katherine Jackson.
The film was initially scheduled for release in October but had to be pushed due to the third act needing to be shot. The original cut featured scenes that included talk of one of Michael’s accusers, Jordan Chandler. However, Michael’s team reportedly forgot they were not allowed to speak about Chandler per a settlement agreement.
The producers had to schedule reshoots to fix the issue.
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Michael purchased the property, located in Santa Barbara County, in 1988 and renamed it Neverland Ranch. The pop star used the home, which features a private amusement park, zoo and a 13,000-square-foot main home, from 1988 to 2005.
The entertainer left the home after he was acquitted in a criminal case over alleged child sexual abuse.
Michael was at risk of foreclosure in 2008 but reached a deal with a private investment group that allowed him to maintain possession.
Billionaire Tom Barrack‘s company, Colony Capital, purchased the loan that was in default. Later that year, the title of the home was transferred from Michael to a company called Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LCC.
Per reports, Michael sold his stake in the ranch for $35 million. In 2015, the home was put up for sale for $100 million after extensive renovations were done.
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The property listing touted that the home featured a lake with a waterfall, guest homes, a tennis court, a movie theater, a performing stage and various other amenities.
The home sat on the market with no bites, which led to the asking price being slashed down to $67 million and then to $31 million. In 2020, billionaire Ron Burkle purchased the estate for $22 million via his Remember LLC.
As Us first reported, Michael’s daughter, Paris Jackson, is in the middle of a bitter court battle with the two men running her late father’s estate.
Michael died in 2009 at the age of 50.
