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The first Michael Jackson biopic cleared $1 billion globally, and now Lionsgate wants to keep the story going. The studio is targeting a late 2026 or early 2027 production start on a sequel, according to Variety.
Lionsgate motion picture chief Adam Fogelson shared the details on a Thursday earnings call. He said the studio hopes to release the finished film either at the end of 2027 or in the first half of 2028. Though the studio waited to officially greenlight the follow-up, the original film ended with the words "His Story Continues," signaling from the start that more was planned.
The first film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, traces the singer's journey from his time with the Jackson 5 through the 1987 Bad tour. Where exactly the sequel picks up remains unclear. The filmmakers have significant material to work with, including the Dangerous album era and the multiple allegations of child sexual abuse that followed Jackson for the rest of his life.
Those allegations were supposed to be addressed in the original film. That plan collapsed late in production after attorneys for the Jackson estate discovered a clause in a settlement with one of Jackson's accusers that barred any depiction of him in a film. The filmmakers had to retool much of the story as a result. Some of that cut material may now find its way into the sequel.
"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."
Fogelson said he is "not ready to give guidance on the budget yet" but confirmed the production will benefit from previously filmed footage, which could help contain costs. No director or cast announcements have been made for Michael 2.
