Lionsgate's motion picture chief Adam Fogelson has revealed during Thursday's earnings call, that the studio is currently working on a sequel to the hit biopic "Michael", which chronicles the story of iconic pop artist Michael Jackson. It was also revealed that production is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027, with the hopes of releasing the final product at the end of next year or in the first half of 2028.
Fogelson said the following: "We have a number of sequences, particularly some big musical sequences, that were shot previously, that are almost sure to be incorporated. 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".
Released in 2026, "Michael" was directed by Antoine Fuqua, and starred the singer's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role. The film covered Jackson's childhood in the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the Bad World Tour in the late 1980s. It is unknown how far into Jackson's life the second film will delve.
Due to a last-minute legal dispute, the filmmakers were forced to omit the most controversial aspects of Jackson's life. The movie was supposed to address the molestation accusations, but those plans had to be scrapped after attorneys for the Jackson estate discovered a clause in the settlement with one of the accusers that barred the depiction of him in any movie. As a result, the filmmakers had to rework the film's third act, though Fogelson said that some of the material that was cut could be used in the sequel.
"Michael" was a huge box office hit, grossing $372.3 million domestically and $643.7 million from foreign markets. The film crossed the $1 billion mark globally becoming the first biopic in history to do so.
RELATED POSTS :
- Alan Ritchson in Talks to Lead Netflix Action Film MAELSTROM
- Vincent D’Onofrio, Kate Mara, Clancy Brown And More Join Netflix's Las Vegas Drama Series THE ROMAN
- GOD OF WAR Star Ryan Hurst Recast After On-Set Injury
- Sydney Sweeney to Star in Retelling of SLEEPY HOLLOW
- Colman Domingo & Robert O'Hara to Co-Write Live-Action Film About Tiana From PRINCESS AND THE FROG
- Weekend Box Office: THE ODYSSEY Explodes With $123.5 Million Debut
- First Look At Priyanka Chopra In S.S. Rajamouli's New Film VARANASI
- Taylor Sheridan's CALL OF DUTY Movie Will Be Based on MODERN WARFARE Games
- AnnaSophia Robb Joins Will Smith in Action Thriller SUPERMAX
- Reid Scott Leaving, James Badge Dale Joining LAW & ORDER Season 26
- Tom Holland To Star In Fred Astaire Biopic
- David Jonsson to Lead BLACK PANTHER 3
- Ryan Gosling To Play Ghost Rider In New Marvel Movie
- Weekend Box Office: THE ODYSSEY Victorious Again With $90 Million Second Frame
- Giorgio Armani TV Series in the Works
- Matthew Macfadyen and Claire Foy to Lead Adaptation of YOU ARE HERE
- CLUELESS Sequel Series Starring Alicia Silverstone Ordered at Paramount+
- John Legend To Play Harry Belafonte in Biopic THE ROAD HOME
- Samara Weaving To Star As Emma Frost In Marvel's X-MEN Movie
- Beatrice Kitsos And David Iacono to Lead Netflix Romantic Comedy BETTER THAN THE MOVIES
- Weekend Box-Office: SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY Scores Biggest Domestic Debut In History
- Jaafar Jackson Joins Will Smith In Action Thriller SUPERMAX
- Richard Madden to Star in Hostage Thriller Series TRAUMA
