Lionsgate Plans Sequel to Blockbuster Biopic on Michael Jackson

Lionsgate Studios’ Adam Fogelson has announced plans for a sequel to the recent hit biopic michael, with a potential filming start as early as this year.

During an appearance on the podcast The City with Matt Belloni, Fogelson mentioned that there is enough material from Michael Jackson’s life to justify a follow-up. He expressed optimism, stating, “There’s a tremendous amount of music, and aside from allegations, there are life experiences that could easily fill more than two films.”

Fogelson highlighted the importance of selecting the right director for this project. Antoine Fuqua, who directed the original film, has expressed interest in helming the sequel. However, he is currently tied up with a Netflix project featuring Denzel Washington.

The first film concluded its narrative in 1988, yet the sequel is anticipated to delve into the child abuse allegations that emerged against Jackson in 1993. Reports indicate that the original film included references to these allegations, which eventually led to rewrites and an additional 22 days of filming due to a settlement clause that restricted mentions of Jordan Chandler.

Navigating these sensitive topics in the sequel will require a delicate approach. The film primarily focuses on Jackson’s larger-than-life persona, something that resonates powerfully with fans, which contributed to its box office success—$97 million in domestic openings and over $200 million globally.

Many of Jackson’s fans are likely to resist portrayals that present him solely through the lens of allegations, asserting that they view him as a victim of legal and media biases. Based on my understanding of these cases, I think there’s a general hope that the sequel will stick to the factual elements and won’t cater too heavily to critics who seek more sensational narratives. The known facts seem to favor Jackson, though it’s important to acknowledge his questionable choices, particularly concerning sleepovers. Yet, the evidence doesn’t effectively support convictions in a court of law.

In fact, both a grand jury in 1993 and another jury in 2004 declined to indict him on charges related to such allegations.