Jaafar Jackson says returning as Michael Jackson in Michael 2 will be easier

So, Michael 2—yes, we’re actually calling it that—has officially moved from rumour mill to active development, with Jaafar Jackson once again taking on the oversized challenge of playing his late uncle, Michael Jackson. After the smash success of the first biopic earlier this year, Lionsgate didn’t wait long to double down on a sequel. The new film is shaping up to be just as ambitious, if not even more contentious, given where the story might be heading.

Jaafar Jackson Sounds Up for It

Jaafar, coming off the high of the original film’s global box office numbers, was out at the Newport Beach Film Festival and got asked (as you’d expect) about stepping back into Michael’s shoes for the sequel. He came across thoroughly calm—possibly just well-rehearsed at this point—and explained how the experience of making the first film has only made things easier for him the second time round. Here’s how Jaafar put it when speaking to Entertainment Tonight:

I feel like my confidence and just the knowingness of I was able to accomplish what I did with the first one will have a lot more ease on my shoulders with knowing I can take on a role of that magnitude.

Apparently, it’s not just nerves vanishing; he genuinely sounds keen to leap back in, saying he’s ready to go the moment he gets the call.

Plot Still Under Wraps, But Expect Drama

Now, as for what Michael 2 will actually cover, no one outside the team has a clue on full details yet—they’re keeping the script locked down. But there’s a growing sense that this instalment won’t shy away from the more controversial stuff in Michael’s later life. Jaafar’s been dropping some hints on the press circuit, saying he feels the sequel needs to dig deeper into Michael’s perspective on all the allegations and heated public scrutiny that followed him for years.

In a previous interview, Jaafar made it pretty pointed:

That’s really the issue we’ve been having as a family – not having Michael’s voice being heard. I think that’s very, very important, especially in the late years.

Translation: the next film is likely to cover those tabloid-shredded years, but with more of Michael’s side told directly—and yes, there’ll probably be strong opinions, both on and off screen, about that approach.

There’s also word that they’ll use some scenes shot for the first film but left on the editing room floor—always a bit of a risk, as these were cut for a reason, but apparently they still fit the new narrative.

On top of that, Lionsgate’s chairman Adam Fogelson told Variety they have no intention of coasting this time, saying they owe the audience a sequel that matches the excitement and spectacle of the first film, given how well that one landed.

Michael 2 does not have an official release date yet.