‘Michael’ Sequel: Lionsgate Film Chief Promises ‘A Big and Satisfying Movie’ With ‘Most Popular’ Music Still to Come
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- Adam Fogelson announced Lionsgate is actively developing a sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic, with conversations with the estate and other parties proceeding exceptionally well.
- The sequel will explore untapped phases of Jackson’s career—such as the “Dangerous” era and other major events—and may be told out of chronological order.
- Lionsgate plans to reuse 25‑30% of footage already captured during the first film’s production, which should lower the sequel’s production costs.
- The original “Michael” film cost over $155 million to make and earned more than $700 million worldwide, making it one of 2026’s biggest box‑office hits.
- The first film omitted any depiction of the molestation allegations after Jackson‑estate attorneys flagged a settlement clause, a restriction that could affect how the sequel handles that period.
Why it matters: Lionsgate will lower the sequel’s production costs by reusing 25‑30% of existing footage, boosting profit potential on a follow‑up that aims to match the original’s $700 M box‑office success, while the Jackson estate must navigate settlement limits on depicting past allegations.
