Plans for a Sequel to the Michael Jackson Biopic Announced

Effie Spence, who plays Liza Minnelli in the recently released Michael Jackson biopic, has revealed that talks are underway for a potential sequel. Spence praised Jaafar Jackson’s performance as his uncle, calling it ‘sublime’. The original film, ‘Michael’, chronicles Jackson’s life from his early days in the Jackson 5 to the success of albums like ‘Off the Wall’, ‘Thriller’, and ‘Bad’, while also exploring his relationship with his father, Joe Jackson. However, the film ends in 1987 and does not cover later child abuse allegations, drawing criticism for potentially whitewashing his story. Director Antoine Fuqua reportedly shot nearly four hours of footage before reshoots were undertaken due to disagreements between Lionsgate and the Jackson estate regarding the inclusion of allegations. Lionsgate executive Adam Fogelson confirmed that the team is working to ensure a second film can follow shortly after the first release. Jaafar Jackson also mentioned in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that a sequel is in ‘early development’, acknowledging that one movie cannot cover the entirety of Michael Jackson’s life and controversies. The follow-up is expected to delve deeper into the layers of his personal and professional life, offering a fuller portrayal of the pop icon.