Lionsgate is aiming to begin production of its Michael sequel soon, with the next chapter of the biopic set to start filming in late 2026 or early 2027 ahead of its planned release date by the end of 2027 or the first half of 2028.
As reported by Variety, these plans were announced by Lionsgate’s motion picture chief Adam Fogelson during an earnings call and come after the studio promised a much bigger sequel that will also include areas of Michael Jackson’s life that weren’t touched upon in the original.
For the sequel, Fogelson previously hinted that some of the material cut from the first movie would potentially be used in its follow-up, which could help to lower costs and possibly production time, a sentiment he reiterated during the latest earnings call.
“We have a number of sequences, particularly some big musical sequences, that were shot previously, that are almost sure to be incorporated,” Fogelson explained. “We are mostly focused right now on how to make sure we can deliver, at the right price, the biggest, best sequel. That is what the audience is going to want and deserve after the experience we gave them the first time.”
Starring Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the titular role, Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua and centres on the King of Pop during the events of his 1987 “Bad” tour. The film also stars Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick) as entertainment lawyer John Branca and Laura Harrier as music producer Suzanne de Passe, alongside Jamal R. Henderson, Tre Horton, Rhyan Hill, Joseph David-Jones (Arrow), and Jessica Sula (Split) as Michael’s siblings Jermaine, Marlon, Tito, Jackie, and La Toya, respectively.
The biopic was a hit from the get-go, rising to attain the biggest opening ever for a music biopic at US$217 million globally, surpassing 2015’s Straight Outta Compton and 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody. The film has since grossed over US$1 billion worldwide, making it one of the biggest hits of 2026.
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