The sequel to Michael is officially set to start filming later this year.
Lionsgate’s motion picture chief Adam Fogelson has told Variety that the studio hopes to begin production on the second part of the biopic in late 2026 or early 2027, with the aim of releasing the movie at the end of next year or in the first half of 2028.
The first film, which follows the life of Michael Jackson, features the late singer’s nephew Jaafar Jackson portraying the star, following the beginning of his career in the Jackson 5 up until the ‘Bad’ world tour in the late 1980s.
With regards to the sequel, Fogelson said: “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.”
It was thought previously that the sequel will look to address the child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson, which was originally in the screenplay for Michael. However, reshoots took place after a clause in a legal settlement was discovered to forbid the Jackson estate from mentioning one of the accusers, Jordan Chandler.
After debuting to the largest-ever opening weekend for a biopic and subsequently becoming the highest-grossing biopic ever made, beating Oppenheimer, last month it was confirmed that Michael had taken in £1.001billion (£750million) globally, making it the first of its genre to pass the milestone.
In NME’s three-star review of Michael, we said: “Michael feels like a job well done: it’s a slick, accessible advert for Jackson’s incredible imperial phase. But if the singer’s estate wanna be startin’ somethin’ bigger like a film franchise, they’ll have their work cut out.”
