Lionsgate boss Adam Fogelson has addressed plans for a sequel to Michael, as trailer viewership for the Michael Jackson biopic soars. The trailer for Michael has been released, showing the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, taking on the role of his uncle in the film. The trailer amassed over 30 million views across all official sources within six hours of release.
Now, Deadline reports that Fogelson, Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Chair, confirmed potential plans for a sequel to Michael during an earnings call on Thursday. He explained that, while a sequel couldn’t be confirmed yet, there are plans to “deliver more Michael” after the first movie. This also coincides with reports that the film’s original cut was over 3-and-a-half hours in length:
Since the last time we worked together on an earnings call, we’ve had the great pleasure of seeing the director’s cut of the first film, and it is exceptional. While we’re not yet ready to confirm plans for a second film, I can tell you that the creative team is hard at work making sure that we’re in a position to deliver more Michael soon after we release the first film.
Fogelson’s statement confirms previously reported plans that the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic will actually be released in two parts. Not only is this because of how deeply the original script dove into Jackson’s career, but also due to reshoots axing a portrayal of an alleged victim of Jackson’s sexual abuse, whose settlement with the estate prevents their onscreen dramatization.
The first film is set to focus on the early days of Jackson’s career, albeit through various eras of his career. The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer 3, Southpaw) from a script penned by John Logan (Alien: Covenant, Skyfall). It also boasts a rather large budget of $155 million, though it’s unclear if this is between both movies.
With the musical biopic getting split into two movies, it remains unconfirmed where the first film is going to stop and how much of his later career is going to be explored. Previous reports about Michael becoming two films signaled the movie would end somewhere in the 1980s, but this remains to be seen until more is unveiled.
Either way, the statement from Fogelson highlights just how massive an undertaking the biopic is going to be. It’s not the only multi-part film in the works about famous musicians, though: Sam Mendes is developing four movies about The Beatles from each band member’s perspective, all of which are expected to be released in theaters in April 2028.
Given how successful Michael‘s trailer has become so quickly, it seems like a good sign for theatrical interest when the biopic releases on April 24, 2026. It also means what does come out will be detailed, as it explores multiple facets of Jackson’s life and career. With the film still six months away, more detailed info seems likely at a later date.
- Release Date
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April 24, 2026
- Director
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Antoine Fuqua
- Writers
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John Logan