Lionsgate Confirms ‘Michael 2’ Production Timeline Following Massive Box Office Success of Original Biopic

Following the record-breaking success of its Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” Lionsgate has officially confirmed its plans to move forward with a sequel, providing a detailed production timeline during a recent earnings call. Motion Picture Group Chairman Adam Fogelson revealed that the studio is targeting a production start towards the end of 2026 or early 2027, with the film expected to release by the end of 2027 or in the first half of 2028.

The original “Michael” film became a cultural phenomenon upon its April 2026 release, grossing $1 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time. The film’s massive commercial success made a sequel virtually inevitable, particularly given that the first movie ended with the text “His Story Continues,” explicitly signaling to audiences that the King of Pop’s story would continue on screen.

The 2026 film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, chronicled the entertainer’s journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 through his rise to global superstardom. However, the narrative deliberately concluded at the 1987 Bad World Tour at London’s Wembley Stadium, notably stopping before later albums and controversies that had to be omitted from the first film due to legal constraints.

During the earnings call, Fogelson provided additional insight into how the sequel could expand on the original’s story. He noted that previously shot musical sequences from the first film that were not incorporated into the final cut would “almost sure to be incorporated” into the sequel. “We do 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.”

The production history of the original film provides substantial unused material for the sequel. During filming, the Jackson estate discovered a legal issue that forced Lionsgate to undertake approximately $50 million in reshoots. A clause in a settlement with one of Jackson’s accusers barred the depiction of certain material in any film, forcing the production team to remove and retool significant portions of the script. Despite these challenges, considerable footage was captured that could now be repurposed for the continuation.

The creative direction for the sequel remains flexible in terms of chronological scope. Fogelson indicated that filmmakers have the freedom to move “forwards and backwards” through Jackson’s history to cover monumental moments that the first film couldn’t address.

The sequel could potentially explore Jackson’s later album eras, including the creation of “Dangerous” (1991) and “Invincible” (2001), the construction and operations of Neverland Ranch, and other significant periods of his life and career that represent some of his most popular music catalog work.

Fogelson emphasized that the studio is focused on delivering a sequel worthy of the original’s success rather than rushing the project. He stated, “There is a ton of incredibly entertaining Michael Jackson story, and much of the biggest and most popular parts of his music catalog that were not touched upon in the first film.” This approach suggests that the filmmakers will prioritize quality and completeness in telling Jackson’s story over meeting an expedited timeline.

The announcement comes as Lionsgate’s motion picture segment continues to thrive, with the company reporting record revenue figures. The studio’s success with “Michael” positions it well to greenlight other prestige projects while simultaneously capitalizing on the franchise’s momentum with the sequel.

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