Lionsgate has officially confirmed that a sequel to this year's blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, is in the works. The studio announced that production is expected to begin later in 2026 or early 2027, with a release planned for the end of 2027 or the first half of 2028.
Adam Fogelson, chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, revealed the news during an earnings call, stating that the studio is focused on delivering a sequel that matches the scale and success of the original. “We have a number of sequences, particularly some big musical sequences, that were shot previously, that are almost sure to be incorporated,” Fogelson said. “We are mostly focused right now on how to make sure we can deliver, at the right price, the biggest, best sequel. That is what the audience is going to want and deserve after the experience we gave them the first time.”
The original film, starring Jaafar Jackson—the singer's real-life nephew—in the titular role, became a global phenomenon, grossing over $1 billion at the box office. It surpassed Bohemian Rhapsody to become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, a record previously held by the Queen film. The sequel's working title, Michael 2, was teased at the end of the first movie with the caption “His Story Continues...”
Despite its commercial success, Michael received mixed reviews from critics, who accused the film of sanitizing Jackson's life story. In a review for Euronews Culture, the film was described as “an insultingly blatant hagiography” that removes all contentious elements from Jackson's early life. The review went on to criticize the biopic for being “sanitized to the point of being translucent” and catering only to fans who want to hear the hits and see recreations of iconic moments.
Production controversies and estate influence
The production of the original film was not without its own drama. Reports emerged that the Jackson estate injected an additional $15 million to reshoot the final act, specifically to remove all mentions of sexual abuse allegations. The film was initially intended to address the multiple accusations of child sexual abuse that followed Jackson throughout his career, but attorneys for the estate discovered a clause in a settlement with one of the accusers that prohibited his depiction in any movie. This forced director Antoine Fuqua to reshoot significant portions of the film.
Fogelson had previously hinted at the sequel's potential, noting that there is “a massive amount of music… and life experiences separate and apart from allegations… that would fill more than a second movie on its own.” This suggests that the sequel may delve deeper into Jackson's later years, though it remains to be seen how the filmmakers will handle the more controversial aspects of his life.
The announcement comes at a time when the entertainment industry is increasingly looking to capitalize on the success of music biopics. The genre has seen a resurgence with films like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, and Michael has set a new benchmark. However, the sequel will need to navigate the delicate balance between celebrating Jackson's artistic legacy and addressing the serious allegations that continue to shadow his memory.
For European audiences, the sequel's production will likely be of interest given the global reach of Jackson's music and the continent's strong connection to his legacy. European fans have long been among the most devoted, and the film's success in markets like the UK, France, and Germany contributed significantly to its box office haul. As production moves forward, it will be interesting to see how the sequel is received in a region that has often been more critical of Jackson's personal life than American audiences.
Lionsgate's decision to greenlight a sequel underscores the commercial viability of the franchise, but it also raises questions about the ethics of continuing to profit from a figure whose legacy is deeply contested. The studio will need to tread carefully to avoid the same criticisms that plagued the first film, while still delivering the spectacle that audiences have come to expect.
As the project moves into pre-production, fans and critics alike will be watching to see how the filmmakers handle the challenge of telling the rest of Jackson's story. With production set to begin soon, the sequel is already generating buzz, and it seems likely that Michael 2 will be one of the most talked-about films of the coming years.
