Director Antoine Fuqua will no longer be attending the upcoming Japan premiere of Michael, the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, due to a private family matter.
The news was confirmed in an official statement shared by Lionsgate and Kino Films Co., who expressed regret over the cancellation while reassuring fans that the premiere will still go ahead as planned.
According to the message, Fuqua is unable to travel to Japan at this time and has expressed his deep disappointment, especially as Japan holds a significant place in Michael Jackson’s legacy and global fan community.
Lionsgate added that Fuqua had been looking forward to attending the event in Tokyo and celebrating the film alongside fans, and he extended his heartfelt gratitude to everyone in Japan for their continued support.
Despite his absence, the Japan premiere of Michael will proceed as scheduled.
The announcement comes as a disappointment for fans who were hoping to see the director present at the event, but organizers have emphasised that the premiere itself remains unchanged.
Fuqua’s absence is due to a private family matter, and no further details have been shared out of respect for privacy.
The Michael Japan premiere is expected to remain one of the key international events surrounding the film’s rollout.
