The story of Michael Jackson on the big screen is far from over. Lionsgate is preparing to move forward with a sequel to Michael, the studio’s blockbuster biopic about the King of Pop, with production currently being targeted for late 2026 or early 2027. If the schedule comes together, audiences could see the next chapter as early as the end of 2027, although the studio is also considering a release during the first half of 2028.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson provided the update during the studio’s Q1 earnings call, while making clear that several details are still being worked out. “We are targeting a production start towards the end of this year or early next,” Fogelson told analysts. He added that the current thinking is for the sequel to arrive around “end of calendar ’27 and the first half of calendar ’28,” while stressing that the studio is “not ready to announce everything at the moment.”
The sequel is coming after the first Michael became a major theatrical success, giving Lionsgate a new billion-dollar franchise opportunity. More importantly, the first production generated a significant amount of footage that could now become part of the follow-up, potentially allowing the filmmakers to expand Jackson’s story without starting entirely from scratch.
Lionsgate Already Has Major Footage For Michael 2
One of the most interesting details from Fogelson’s update is that the sequel will not necessarily be built from zero. During production of the first Michael, filmmakers shot a number of sequences that were ultimately not used in the finished movie, including several large musical numbers.
“We do have a number of sequences, particularly some big musical sequences, that were shot previously, that are almost sure to be incorporated,” Fogelson said.
That footage could become extremely valuable for the sequel. The first film underwent significant changes during production after issues surrounding the depiction of one of Michael Jackson’s accusers forced the filmmakers to rethink parts of the story. The resulting changes led to additional photography and altered the film’s eventual ending, which stopped during Jackson’s Bad era rather than moving into some of the most controversial chapters of his later life.
The unfinished material gives the sequel a head start, but Lionsgate does not appear interested in simply assembling old footage into another movie. Fogelson said the studio is focused on delivering a sequel at the right price while making it as ambitious as audiences would expect after the first film.
“That is what the audience is going to want and deserve after the experience we gave them the first time,” Fogelson said.
Variety previously reported that roughly 25% to 30% of a potential second movie could already exist in footage captured during the original production. That includes material that was cut when the story was reshaped, although it remains unclear exactly how much of that footage will ultimately make the final sequel.
That approach could also help Lionsgate manage the economics of a follow-up to a movie that reportedly carried a production cost approaching $200 million. Reusing suitable footage does not eliminate the cost of making a sequel, but it can reduce the amount of new material that has to be recreated, particularly when large-scale musical sequences are involved.
When Could Michael 2 Reach Theatres?
The current timetable points toward a relatively quick turnaround if Lionsgate and the filmmakers can settle the creative and financial details. Production could begin toward the end of 2026 or during the first part of 2027, with Fogelson indicating a possible theatrical window from late 2027 through the first half of 2028.
That is still a target rather than a confirmed release date. The studio has not announced the final production schedule, official title, complete story or returning cast beyond the broader expectation that the sequel will continue the narrative established by the first movie.
The first Michael ended during the Bad era, leaving decades of Jackson’s career untouched. That creates an enormous amount of material for a follow-up, including his Dangerous and Invincible periods, major performances, the development of Neverland and the increasingly complicated personal and legal controversies that surrounded the singer.
Adam Fogelson previously suggested that there was enough material to tell considerably more of Jackson’s story. He also indicated that the sequel could potentially move backward and forward in time instead of following a strictly chronological structure. That would give the filmmakers more freedom to connect major performances and events without trying to squeeze every year of Jackson’s life into a conventional timeline.
The challenge will be deciding how much of that later history the sequel can realistically cover. Jackson’s life became increasingly complicated after the period depicted in the first film, and any continuation will inevitably have to navigate subjects that were largely absent from the theatrical movie.
Michael Became A Massive Lionsgate Success
The commercial performance of Michael is the reason the sequel conversation has moved so quickly. The film opened to $97 million domestically and $217 million worldwide in its first weekend, setting a record for the biggest opening ever for a musical biopic at the time.
The movie subsequently became a huge worldwide performer, crossing the billion-dollar mark according to the figures cited by Lionsgate and current trade reporting. That made it the studio’s biggest-grossing release and transformed what could have been a one-off musical biopic into a potential long-term franchise.
The success was particularly notable because the production had faced major complications before reaching cinemas. The original version of the screenplay reportedly contained material dealing with the allegations against Jackson, but the filmmakers later removed that material after the Jackson estate’s attorneys identified a settlement restriction concerning one of Jackson’s accusers. The resulting changes required extensive additional work and helped push the film’s release date from 2025 into 2026.
The finished movie instead concentrated heavily on Jackson’s rise from his Jackson 5 years through his emergence as a global superstar, ending during the Bad tour. Jaafar Jackson played his uncle in the film, making his acting debut as Michael, while Antoine Fuqua directed the project.
That ending now looks even more significant because it leaves the door wide open for a second film. Rather than ending Jackson’s story at the height of his early solo career, the sequel can potentially move into the music, performances and events that shaped the next stages of his life.
The Sequel Has A Much Bigger Story To Tell
There is no shortage of material for Michael 2. Jackson released major albums after Bad, including Dangerous and Invincible, while his career continued to produce some of the most influential music videos, tours and live performances in pop history.
But the sequel would also enter much more difficult territory. Jackson’s later life was dominated not only by his continued musical success but also by allegations, legal disputes and intense media scrutiny. The first film’s decision to avoid those issues became one of its most discussed creative choices, meaning the sequel will face considerably more complicated storytelling decisions.
That does not necessarily mean every controversial subject will appear in the next movie. Lionsgate and the filmmakers have not announced exactly which events will be included, and Fogelson’s comments suggest the creative team is still determining how to build the story. What is clear is that the studio believes there is enough material to make another major theatrical event.
The commercial argument is equally straightforward. Michael proved that Jackson’s music still has enormous theatrical pull, and the first movie’s audience response showed that viewers were willing to turn a biopic into a large-scale communal cinema experience. Variety previously noted that the film achieved strong audience enthusiasm despite a much more divided critical response, helping explain why Lionsgate quickly began considering another installment.
For Lionsgate, the sequel therefore represents both an opportunity and a test. The first film benefited from Jackson’s most universally recognizable songs and the excitement of seeing his rise recreated on a huge screen. The follow-up will need to find an equally compelling reason for audiences to return while taking the story into periods that are considerably more complicated.
Fogelson appears aware of that challenge. Rather than promising a cheap continuation built around unused footage, he emphasized that the goal is to make “the biggest, best sequel” possible at a responsible price. That suggests Lionsgate sees Michael 2 as a major theatrical release rather than simply an extension of the first movie.
For now, the production target is late 2026 or early 2027, while the potential release window stretches from late 2027 into the first half of 2028. Nothing is locked until Lionsgate makes its formal announcements, but the direction is becoming clear: Michael Jackson’s cinematic story is heading toward another chapter, and some of the footage audiences never saw the first time could finally find its place on screen.
Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel Q&A
When could Michael 2 begin filming?
Lionsgate is targeting a production start toward the end of 2026 or early 2027, according to Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson.
When could the Michael Jackson biopic sequel be released?
Fogelson said the current thinking is for the sequel to arrive around the end of 2027 or during the first half of 2028. No specific release date has been announced.
Will Michael 2 use footage from the first movie?
Yes. Lionsgate has said that several sequences, particularly large musical numbers, were already filmed during production of the first movie and are likely to be incorporated into the sequel.
How much of Michael 2 has already been filmed?
Variety previously reported that roughly 25% to 30% of a potential second movie could already exist in footage captured during the original production. The exact amount that will appear in the finished sequel has not been confirmed.
What period could Michael 2 cover?
The first movie ends around the Bad tour, leaving Jackson’s later career open for exploration. Potential material includes his Dangerous and Invincible eras and other major events from his later life, although Lionsgate has not confirmed the final storyline.
Why is Lionsgate making a sequel?
The first Michael became a major worldwide box-office success and Lionsgate’s highest-grossing movie, giving the studio a strong commercial reason to continue Jackson’s story. The sequel also has access to previously filmed material that could be incorporated into the new movie.
