Lionsgate is officially moving ahead with a sequel to Michael following the unprecedented success of the Michael Jackson biopic at the global box office. The studio confirmed that development is underway, with production expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027 and a theatrical release targeted for late 2027 or the first half of 2028. The update was shared by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson during the company’s latest earnings call.
The announcement comes after Michael became one of the biggest biopic of all time, grossing more than $1 billion worldwide. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as his legendary uncle, chronicled Michael Jackson’s rise from his early years with the Jackson 5 to his emergence as one of the world’s biggest music stars. Its closing moments ended with the message, “His Story Continues,” making it clear that the filmmakers always envisioned a follow-up.
According to Fogelson, the sequel will move into production quickly, with Lionsgate aiming to capitalize on the momentum generated by the first film. He also revealed that approximately 25 to 30 percent of the sequel has already been filmed, as certain scenes were shot during production of the original movie. That head start is expected to streamline the sequel’s production schedule while allowing the filmmakers to maintain continuity between the two films.
Fogelson also suggested the sequel may not follow a strictly chronological structure. Rather than simply picking up where the first film ended, he indicated the filmmakers have the flexibility to move “forwards and backwards” through Jackson’s life. He added that there remains “a ton of incredibly entertaining Michael Jackson story” left to tell, noting that many of the singer’s biggest songs, performances and defining career moments were not covered in the first film.
Michael concludes during Jackson’s Bad Tour in the late 1980s, leaving nearly two decades of the singer’s life unexplored. While Lionsgate has not revealed the sequel’s storyline, the remaining years of Jackson’s career include the release of blockbuster albums such as Dangerous, HIStory, and Invincible, along with major world tours and some of the most commercially successful years of his career.
At the same time, the sequel also faces a significant storytelling challenge. Jackson’s later years were marked not only by continued musical success but also by allegations of child sexual abuse and lengthy legal battles that generated worldwide media attention. Lionsgate has not disclosed how, or if, the sequel will address those events.
The question carries additional significance because the first film reportedly underwent substantial changes during post-production. Earlier this year, trade reports revealed that scenes involving the Jordan Chandler allegations were removed after producers discovered a legal agreement that restricted Chandler’s depiction in the film. The production subsequently underwent rewrites and reshoots before its theatrical release, though Lionsgate has not commented on how those legal considerations might affect the sequel.
Although the studio has yet to officially announce returning cast or crew, Antoine Fuqua remains closely associated with the franchise after directing the first film, while Jaafar Jackson’s acclaimed portrayal of the King of Pop is widely expected to continue in the sequel. Neither return has been formally confirmed by Lionsgate.
Following the billion-dollar success of Michael, the sequel represents more than another music biopic. It signals Lionsgate’s intention to expand one of its biggest recent theatrical successes into an ongoing franchise. With production expected to begin within the next year, attention will now turn to how the filmmakers approach the most complex and controversial chapters of Michael Jackson’s life while continuing the story teased at the end of the first film.
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