Michael Sequel Teased as Biopic Omits Child Abuse Allegations

Alright, time for another trip back to Neverland—literally. Coming April 24, we’re getting a brand-new Michael Jackson biopic. And when I say 'Michael Jackson', I mean it: they just called the movie Michael. Under the direction of Antoine Fuqua (yeah, the guy behind ‘Training Day’), this one’s drumming up plenty of curiosity—and, yeah, debate.

Who’s Wearing the Glove?

Here’s something you don’t see every day: Jaafar Jackson (that’s Michael’s own nephew) is actually playing Michael himself. Either a bold casting move, or the ultimate family tribute—take your pick. You’ll get Jaafar moonwalking through Jackson’s early years, from his Jackson 5 days in the late ‘60s, right up to that massive Wembley Stadium 'Bad' tour stop in 1988.

Where the Story Stops

Now, this is where things get weird. The film cuts off in 1988. For anyone keeping score, that’s when Jackson wasn’t even 30 yet, and right on the cusp of his most headline-making years. So, if you were expecting a movie that really gets into Michael’s full life—brace yourself. There’s a pretty deliberate curtain drop before things get 'complicated'.

The Elephant Not in the Room

Let’s not pretend: Michael’s life after 1988 was... eventful, for all the wrong reasons. The child abuse accusations from the ‘90s and 2000s? Nowhere in the movie. This isn’t even a controversial detail anymore—it’s the thing everyone is talking about. Love letter to the music? Sure. Full reckoning with the person? Not so much.

So, What Do the Cast and Crew Say?

Cast members Colman Domingo and Nia Long are already fielding questions about this, and as expected, they’re pretty careful with their answers. Domingo told The Today Show that the movie is mostly about the 'makings of Michael'—as in, his perspective, childhood, family grind, and his journey to becoming a solo star. Here’s what Domingo had to say (paraphrased and without the PR fog):

'We honed in on what made Michael tick—his upbringing, what he saw, how he discovered his voice. That’s really where we kept the focus. There’s always a chance we might get a part two that takes on the other stuff, but this movie? It’s the origin story. That’s it.'

Domingo also pointed out that, hey, maybe they’ll do a follow-up if there’s appetite for it (translation: if this thing makes money). Nia Long, never one to waste words, chimed in with a classic: 'If the price is right.'

Quick Recap: Where 'Michael' Lands

• Title: Michael
• Director: Antoine Fuqua
• Starring: Jaafar Jackson as Michael, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, and more
• Covers: Late ‘60s (Jackson 5 debut) to 1988’s 'Bad' tour at Wembley
• What it skips: Anything post-1988—including the controversies and allegations
• Tone: Call it a tribute or a sanitized history, depending who you ask. Critics are split—some love the nostalgia, some call the film frustratingly incomplete.
• Sequel potential? If the public shows up and the studio sees cash, don’t count it out.

At the end of the day, Michael definitely plays it safe, focusing on music and nostalgia, sidelining the murkier chapters. That approach won’t please everyone, but if there’s an appetite for digging deeper, you might see a ‘part two’ somewhere down the line—assuming, as Nia Long said, 'the price is right.'