Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel Officially Moving Forward

1 week ago 13

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson performing onstage in Michael 2026

Published Apr 29, 2026, 8:22 PM EDT

Matthew Rudoy is one of ScreenRant's Movie & TV News Editors. He covers the latest in movie & TV news, with a focus on major franchises like Star Wars, The Boys, and Game of Thrones. He wrote lists for ScreenRant from 2017-2022, became a news writer in 2023, a senior staff writer in 2024, and an editor in 2025.

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

Michael will officially be performing again.

The Michael Jackson biopic was released in theaters on April 24 and has been an immediate box office hit, grossing $97 million domestically and $217 million worldwide during its opening weekend. Between the box office success and the film focusing on the rise of the pop star rather than his full life story, there was already speculation that a sequel would be made.

On Matthew Belloni's podcast The Town, Lionsgate film chair Adam Fogelson confirmed that a sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic is moving forward, as meetings about its development will be taking place soon. Depending on the schedule of director Antoine Fuqua, filming is expected to begin either in 2026 or 2027.

The decision to publicly confirm a sequel less than a week after the movie's theatrical release is unusual, but is a sign of confidence after the biopic's dominant box office opening weekend. Potentially going into production as early as later this year is also an indicator of the movie being fast-tracked, with Lionsgate wanting to further capitalize on the existing momentum as soon as possible.

While speaking with ScreenRant prior to the film's theatrical release, Jaafar Jackson and producer Graham King teased ideas for Michael 2. King shared that "I've definitely been thinking about some things" and Jackson said, "I absolutely do" have more interest in reprising the role of his real-life uncle again. It now appears as though King will be able to incorporate some of those ideas in a sequel once again starring Jackson.

More to come...