Lionsgate is moving forward with a sequel to its record-breaking Michael Jackson biopic Michael, with production eyed to begin by the end of 2026 or early 2027 and a theatrical release targeted for late 2027 or the first half of 2028.
The update came Thursday from Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Adam Fogelson during the studio’s first-quarter earnings call. Fogelson told analysts the company is “targeting a production start towards the end of this year or early next.” On the release window, he said, “I think that end of calendar ’27 and the first half of calendar ’28 would be the current thought of roughly where the movie would go.”
The first film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as the pop icon, opened in late April 2026 and became a commercial phenomenon. It has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing biopic in history, Lionsgate’s top-earning title ever, and one of the biggest films of 2026. The success quickly revived long-running discussions about a follow-up.
Fogelson noted that the studio already possesses usable footage from the original production. “We do have a number of sequences, particularly some big musical sequences, that were shot previously, that are almost sure to be incorporated,” he said. Those scenes were filmed before extensive reshoots and creative changes reshaped the first movie’s third act.
The existence of this material is expected to help control costs while allowing the sequel to deliver the scale audiences experienced the first time.
The original Michael faced production hurdles. It was initially scheduled for a November 2025 release but shifted to April 2026 after the Jackson estate identified an oversight involving the depiction of one of the singer’s accusers. That discovery triggered roughly $50 million in reshoots, which the estate covered.
The finished film ended with the on-screen card “His Story Continues,” a line many interpreted as a deliberate nod toward further installments.
Earlier this year, Lionsgate confirmed a sequel was in active development. In a May earnings call, Fogelson said the studio was “really excited about the progress we’re making with respect to a second Michael film” and estimated that 25 to 30 percent of a potential sequel already existed in previously shot material.
He also indicated the second film would not necessarily pick up strictly where the first left off, noting the creative team could move “forwards and backwards” through Jackson’s life and catalog. Large portions of Jackson’s most popular music and later career milestones remained untouched in the first installment, giving the sequel ample territory.
Fogelson emphasized that the priority remains quality and financial discipline. “We are mostly focused right now on how to make sure we can deliver, at the right price, the biggest, best sequel,” he said. “That is what the audience is going to want and deserve after the experience we gave them the first time.” He declined to provide specific budget guidance at this stage.
The project continues under the same key creative relationships that shaped the first film. Jaafar Jackson is expected to reprise the title role. The Jackson estate remains closely involved, as it was on the original production.
Script work and other pre-production steps are underway, though a formal green light with locked dates and full casting announcements has not yet been issued.
Public Reaction
Industry observers note that the rapid move toward a sequel reflects both the first film’s box-office dominance and the depth of remaining story material. Jackson’s life after the late 1980s-covering the Dangerous, HIStory, and Invincible eras, global tours, and personal challenges offers substantial narrative possibilities.
The availability of existing musical sequences could accelerate the schedule relative to a completely new production.
Lionsgate’s Motion Picture segment posted strong results in the latest quarter, with revenue more than doubling year-over-year, driven in significant part by Michael’s performance. The studio has positioned the biopic as a franchise opportunity rather than a one-off event.
While no official title has been confirmed beyond informal references to “Michael 2,” the project is already being discussed in those terms across industry coverage.
Challenges remain. Scheduling conflicts for key personnel, final script approvals, and the need to navigate sensitive aspects of Jackson’s later life will influence the exact timeline. Production delays on the first film demonstrated how external factors can shift release plans. Still, the current targets represent the clearest public roadmap yet for the sequel.
For audiences, the announcement signals that the story of Michael Jackson on screen is not finished. After the first film introduced a new generation to his early rise and breakthrough years, the follow-up is expected to explore later chapters of a career that reshaped global popular music.
Lionsgate’s comments make clear the studio intends to meet high expectations for spectacle, music, and performance while managing costs through existing assets.
As of now, no precise start date, budget figure, or final release date has been locked. Fogelson’s remarks establish the working window: cameras could roll before the end of 2026, with the finished film aimed at theaters in late 2027 or early 2028. Further updates are expected as pre-production advances and the studio finalizes its plans.
The success of Michael has already rewritten the commercial ceiling for biopics. A well-executed sequel would extend that achievement and continue Lionsgate’s association with one of the most watched musical figures of the modern era.
Fans and industry watchers will be monitoring the coming months for additional details on casting, creative direction, and the official title.
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