Jaafar Jackson Reveals the Michael Jackson Songs He’s Most Excited to Recreate in the ‘Michael’ Sequel
The 2026 film ‘Michael,’ directed by Antoine Fuqua and covering Michael Jackson’s early career from the Jackson 5 era through the late 1980s, has become a massive commercial and cultural phenomenon.
The biopic has grossed $430.3 million worldwide, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2026. As the dust settles on the first chapter of this ambitious project, industry insiders and fans alike are already wondering what comes next—and now, Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew who portrays the King of Pop in the film, has spoken about his eagerness to continue the story.
The success of ‘Michael’ has created an obvious opening for a follow-up installment. According to Producer Graham King, the original cut of the movie is three and a half hours long, leaving the door open for a sequel, with closing text on screen stating “His story continues.”
King has indicated there is enough material to support an additional installment, with the studio potentially able to repurpose at least 30 percent of the removed footage for a sequel. This setup has naturally sparked speculation about what a second film could explore in Jackson’s legendary catalog.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight , Jaafar revealed which iconic Michael Jackson performance he would be most excited to recreate if given the opportunity to return for a sequel. Referencing the ‘Smooth Criminal’ short film from 1988, which was part of the extended ‘Moonwalker’ project, Jaafar expressed genuine enthusiasm about bringing that particular vision to life. “It would be an honor to do that,” he said, highlighting the special significance the performance holds in his uncle’s artistic legacy.
The ‘Smooth Criminal’ represents one of Michael Jackson’s most visually striking and complex performances, blending elaborate choreography with a cinematic narrative that showcased his evolution as a full-fledged entertainer and filmmaker.
In the current film, audiences have already witnessed Jaafar’s stunning ability to channel his uncle, with viewers noting that “at times I forgot I wasn’t watching the man himself” due to his vocal precision and physical embodiment of the icon. The prospect of seeing him tackle the ‘Smooth Criminal’ sequence would build on the foundation of acclaim he’s already received.
While a sequel is not officially confirmed, the Hollywood Reporter noted that if ‘Michael’ achieves continued box office success, there will be significant financial incentive for an encore performance, though scheduling and production costs remain considerations.
If a follow-up moves forward, audiences can expect to see Jaafar Jackson perform albums like ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Invincible,’ the creation of Neverland Ranch, and other pivotal moments from Jackson’s later career.
Until an official announcement arrives, Jaafar’s comments offer fans a tantalizing glimpse of what could come next—and why the actor himself is ready to keep dancing in his uncle’s shoes. What aspect of Michael Jackson’s career would you most want to see in a potential sequel?
