With the trailer released for the Michael Jackson biopic, a second film is looking more and more likely. More on that below. Lionsgate has released the first trailer for the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled Michael, setting the internet ablaze in doing so. In the film, Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson takes on the role ... Michael | Second film is starting to look likely
With the trailer released for the Michael Jackson biopic, a second film is looking more and more likely. More on that below.
Lionsgate has released the first trailer for the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled Michael, setting the internet ablaze in doing so.
In the film, Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson takes on the role of his uncle and the trailer showcases some of the singer’s signature dance moves, songs and music videos.
As we’ve written before, the film has been hit with a number of troubles, and it’s certainly an expensive project for the studio. There have been many rumours that the movie will be split into two, especially after reports that an early cut was over four hours long.
Officially, there’s still no update on that but as The Hollywood Reporter reports, the chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, Adam Folgelson, addressed the issue in a call with analysts on Thursday (6th November).
“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 said.
“More Michael”? That certainly indicates that a part two is in the planning stages.
The trailer for next year’s release doesn’t even hint at the more controversial elements of Jackson’s life, especially those that started in the 90s, including several accusations of child abuse. Could it be possible that the film only reaches the end of the 1980s and a potential sequel will dive into the more troubled years of the singer’s life?
Director Antoine Fuqua was reportedly asked to go back and film some extensive reshoots for Michael’s final act. A January report published by Puck alleged that the production broke an agreement with one of Jackson’s accusers, who had previously been asssured he wouldn’t be dramatised on screen.
The problem with biopics like this is, you need the family and estate’s approval in order to get the project going and to use the singer’s music, but it’s harder to represent things truthfully and objectively. Bohemian Rhapsody had a similar issue with the living members of Queen giving their take on the story, which led to a somewhat inaccurate representation of the band’s late lead singer, Freddie Mercury.
At this point it’s all speculation when it comes to a second Michael film, but it does seem that there is more than enough content for the studio to release something after the film hits cinemas next year.
If a second film is officially announced, we’ll let you know. Michael is in UK cinemas 24th April 2026.
