It's Official: Lionsgate Is Making a Michael Sequel

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If you thought Hollywood would stop at just one Michael Jackson biopic after raking in hundreds of millions worldwide, well, you obviously don’t know Hollywood. Or, indeed, The Jacksons. The first film, Michael—which saw the late pop juggernaut played by his own nephew, Jaafar Jackson—only hit cinemas a few weeks ago. Yet mere weeks on, plans for a sequel aren’t just being bandied about, they’re now officially in motion. So, let’s untangle what’s really going on behind the cash-flashing curtains.

What the First Michael Left Out

Michael (the film, not the man himself) charted Jackson’s rise: from adorable, precocious Jackson 5 kid to moonwalking, glove-wearing world-beater. The bit that surprised quite a few: the film wrapped up right as Michael’s 1988 Wembley Stadium gig on the Bad World Tour kicked off. It didn’t even attempt the messy, complicated bit that comes after, instead leaving things hanging with an unsubtle nod there’s more story (and, let’s not kid ourselves, more money) to come.

Lionsgate: Smelling Box Office Blood

Given the film’s eye-watering take—global revenue at the moment is comfortably north of $715 million, according to Lionsgate—it’s absolutely no shock that they want another go. Official word from Adam Fogelson, who heads up the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, landed during their latest big-deal earnings call (so, think suits and share prices, not popcorn and Red Vines):

'We are really excited about the progress we’re making with respect to a second Michael film. All the conversations that we’ve been having with all of the appropriate parties continue to go exceptionally well.'

Basically: no drama behind the scenes. The sequel is happening and the machine is rolling.

What Happens Now?

• Sequel confirmed: It’s not just chats—they’re moving quickly to get Michael 2 made.
• Everyone’s on board: All the major players (read: Jackson estate, financiers, and, likely, Jaafar Jackson himself) are keen.
• Plot details? Not a peep yet. But since the first film called time before the scandals, artistic downturns and tabloid chaos, expect a heavier, thornier narrative if they’re bold enough to actually face it head-on.

In short: if you thought they might skip the more controversial years, think again—though how honestly it’ll be handled is anyone’s guess.

A Developing Story

We’re still waiting for finer details—director, script, casting returns, exactly how many sequins this time around. But Lionsgate sounds like they want cameras rolling sooner than later. If anything odd happens in assembling Jackson’s complicated later years for the big screen, you’ll read about it here first. Well, after your mate on social media, if we’re being honest. But you know where I stand.

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