Lionsgate is moving ahead with plans for a sequel to Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic that has become one of the biggest box-office hits of the 2026 movie year. The film has earned $846.3 million worldwide so far and is still playing in theaters, with a Japanese release still ahead. Despite mostly negative reviews from critics, the movie has performed strongly enough that the studio is now discussing a follow-up and believes there is enough material to continue the story.
The first film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, ends in 1988 with Jackson’s Bad Tour, which means it stops before the legal troubles and child sexual abuse allegations that emerged in the 1990s. Those issues were initially expected to appear in the film’s prologue and epilogue, but the estate reportedly found a legal restriction that prevented one of the alleged victims from being shown. Because of that, the original ending was considered unusable and had to be reshot, with the cost estimated at between $10 million and $15 million.
Even with those complications, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Adam Fogelson says the studio is optimistic about a sequel. He told Variety that 25% to 30% of a second movie may already have been shot during the production of the first film, which could reduce costs if the project moves forward. Fogelson said the studio wants to make sure any follow-up is “big and satisfying” for a global audience, suggesting that a sequel would aim for the same broad commercial appeal as the first installment.
Fogelson also said there is still plenty of Jackson’s story left to tell. He pointed out that the first film only covered part of the singer’s career and left out many major events and hit songs from his catalog. That leaves room for the filmmakers to explore other chapters of Jackson’s life and career without necessarily revisiting the same territory. If Antoine Fuqua returns, the sequel could build on the existing production foundation while introducing new material from Jackson’s later years and musical legacy.
The studio appears encouraged by both the financial success of Michael and the amount of unreached material in Jackson’s life story. Fogelson said conversations with the relevant parties are progressing well, which suggests the sequel is moving through early development rather than just being a vague possibility.
For now, no release date has been announced, and it is still unclear when audiences could see a second film. But the studio’s comments make it clear that Lionsgate sees Michael as more than a one-time project. With the first movie still earning money and approaching the all-time box-office benchmark for music biopics, a sequel now looks increasingly likely.
