Three words at the end of the credits were enough to ignite speculation: “His story continues.” With that phrase, Michael —the biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew— left open the possibility of a second part at the time of its release, in April 2026.
According to a source consulted by The Hollywood Reporterthis detail was a last-minute addition, added approximately a month before the premiere, when the producers and the studio began to size up the film’s commercial potential.
The film started with numbers that far exceeded initial projections.
According to deadlinethe biopic reached around US$95 million in its domestic opening in the United States and exceeded 206 million dollars worldwide, establishing itself as the best debut in film history for a musical biopic, above genre references such as Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and Straight Outta Compton (2015).
Will there be a second part?
The president of Lionsgate Films, Adam Fogelson, addressed the issue on the red carpet at the premiere: “We absolutely have more story to tell. We have prepared for that moment. And if the public confirms that they want more, we are prepared to offer it to them as soon as possible,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
However, the decision has not yet been made. A source consulted by the same American media indicated that the script for an eventual second part, by writer John Logan, was not finished and that nothing would be officially decided until the box office results of the premiere were known.
As reported Variety In April 2026, Lionsgate would consider giving the green light to a second part only if Michael exceeds 700 million dollars in worldwide collection.
What would the second part of Michael?
The film spans from Jackson’s childhood in Gary, Indiana; his time in the Jackson Five and the rise of his career to the Bad World Tour of 1988.
A third act — which in the original script included the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations, which the singer denied and which were settled out of court — was eliminated after it was discovered that a legal clause in that agreement prevented the representation of the plaintiff in any audiovisual production.
According to deadlinethe originally filmed additional material was precisely what led Lionsgate to commit to the possibility of a sequel. Episodes like the tour Dangerousthe Neverland ranch, the Super Bowl and the last years of the artist – who died on June 25, 2009 – would be available as material for an eventual second installment.
What did the cast members say about the sequel?
Several cast members spoke out on the issue during the press campaign. Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson, noted during an interview on the program Today from NBC that “There is a possibility of a second part that addresses some other things that happened later.”
For her part, Nia Long, who plays Katherine Jackson, was more direct to the same medium, mentioning: “If the price is right!”
Producer Graham King, who was also behind Bohemian Rhapsodyhe pointed out before Variety that the team is already considering some ideas, although he acknowledged that at that moment his main concern was for the public to see the first installment.
However, so far there is no official confirmation of a second installment, as Lionsgate is awaiting the public’s response in the coming weeks.