Lionsgate Plans Production of Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel

Lionsgate is moving forward with a sequel to its blockbuster Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," and is targeting a start of production by the end of this year or early 2027. Studio chairman Adam Fogelson announced the timeline during a quarterly earnings call on August 6, 2026, stating that a release is currently envisioned for late 2027 or the first half of 2028.

The first film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, became a global box office juggernaut after its April 2026 release, grossing over $1 billion worldwide to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time. The film chronicled Jackson's rise from the Jackson 5 to his peak in the 1980s, concluding with his 1987 "Bad" tour.

A significant factor in the sequel's development is the existence of a large amount of footage already shot during the production of the first movie. Fogelson confirmed that a number of sequences, particularly major musical numbers, are almost certain to be incorporated into the follow-up. This includes material originally intended for the first film that addressed the child molestation allegations that followed Jackson later in his life. Those scenes were omitted...