The blockbuster debut of Michael, the long‑awaited biopic on Michael Jackson, has reignited talk of a sequel but industry insiders warn that legal and creative complications could delay any follow‑up for years.
The first film, starring Jaafar Jackson, focuses on the pop icon’s life from 1966 to 1988 and ends with the message “His story will continue.” That closing line sparked immediate speculation, and Page Six reported that a sequel is already 30 percent filmed. But Esquire countered that fans should not expect a second instalment anytime soon, citing unresolved legal issues tied to Jackson’s later years.
Michael opened to a massive USD 217.4 million global box office, setting a new record for a biopic’s opening weekend. Lionsgate executives celebrated the film’s performance despite mixed reviews and the long‑running controversies surrounding Jackson’s legacy.
Lionsgate motion picture chair Adam Fogelson told Page Six that the studio took on a project many others avoided. “It’s always exciting when you have a blockbuster hit, but when you have a blockbuster hit on something that many people didn’t think was possible, it’s particularly gratifying,” he said.
Notably, the film avoids Jackson’s later legal troubles and allegations, which Esquire reported could form the basis of a second movie if the legal landscape allows it.
For now, the sequel remains more rumour than reality, with the studio’s ambitions colliding with the complexities of portraying the most controversial chapters of Jackson’s life.
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