Lionsgate is accelerating plans for "Michael 2," the sequel to its controversial Michael Jackson biopic, with production targeted to begin late 2026 or early 2027. Motion picture chief Adam Fogelson announced the timeline during the studio's Thursday earnings call, though the studio has not yet specified a release date for the follow-up.
The original "Michael," directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as the pop icon, faced significant backlash from Jackson's estate and fans upon its 2023 release. The film depicted Jackson's life through a lens that prioritized sensationalism over nuance, depicting his plastic surgeries and personal struggles with unflinching detail. Despite the criticism, the biopic grossed over $100 million worldwide, validating Lionsgate's commercial instincts if not critical consensus.
Details about the sequel remain sparse. The studio has not confirmed whether Jaafar Jackson will return to the title role or whether Fuqua will direct again. The Jackson estate, which has historically guarded Michael Jackson's legacy fiercely through their partnership with HBO's "Leaving Neverland" documentary oversight and various authorized projects, has not publicly commented on the sequel's development.
The announcement reflects Lionsgate's confidence in the franchise's box office potential, even as the entertainment industry grapples with questions about biopic ethics and the responsibility studios bear when depicting real people's lives, particularly figures as culturally complex as Jackson. The first film's financial success, despite its contentious reception, suggests audiences remain hungry for Jackson narratives, however contested their accuracy or framing.
The studio's willingness to greenlight a sequel signals that commercial performance trumps critical reception in franchise decision-making. As production timelines solidify over the coming months, more casting and creative details should emerge.