Lionsgate head Adam Fogelson said development of a sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic Michael could begin before the end of the year, Deadline reported. Fogelson said the sequel will feature unused footage shot for the first installment, including large scale musical numbers. He added that the studio is working to build a high quality project with an optimal budget.
Production Delays and Release Schedule
The premiere of the original film was moved from November 2025 to April 2026. The delay occurred after Michael Jackson's heirs insisted on removing a scene featuring one of the singer's accusers because lawyers found a legal ban against showing her.
The scene required an urgent reshoot that cost an additional 50 million dollars. However, studio executives plan to use most of the leftover material shot by director Antoine Fuqua, known for Training Day and The Equalizer, as the foundation for the sequel. The studio plans to release the sequel between late 2027 and the first half of 2028.
Michael has become the highest grossing biopic in history after earning more than 1 billion dollars at the global box office. The movie represents the biggest commercial success for Lionsgate, outperforming Twilight, The Hunger Games, and John Wick.
