Hold on tight, because the story of the King of Pop might be too big for just one movie! Lionsgate is hinting that the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled 'Michael,' could be split into two parts. Yes, you read that right – potentially two movies about the life and legacy of the iconic performer.
Adam Fogelson, chairman of Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group, dropped this bombshell during a recent financial call. While stopping short of a full confirmation, he stated, "…the creative team is hard at work making sure that we’re in a position to deliver more Michael soon after we release the first film.” Think of it as a 'to be continued...' but on a grand, cinematic scale.
The first installment, directed by Antoine Fuqua (known for his work on 'Training Day' and 'The Equalizer'), is currently slated to grace theaters and IMAX screens on April 24, 2026. This date follows several prior shifts, including a planned fall 2025 release. The repeated delays hint at the sheer scale and complexity of bringing Michael Jackson's life to the big screen.
But here's where it gets controversial... Rumors of a potential split first surfaced in a Puck report back in January, suggesting that the film's third act, specifically dealing with accusations against Jackson, required significant reworking. The report indicated that a Jackson accuser, who previously had assurance that they would not be depicted in a dramatized form due to a prior settlement with the Jackson estate, was becoming a sticking point. How do you tell a complete story when certain aspects are legally sensitive? It's a tightrope walk, to say the least.
Lionsgate has already released a tantalizing teaser trailer, offering a glimpse of Jaafar Jackson, Michael's nephew, in the lead role. This marks Jaafar's feature film debut, and from the snippet we've seen, he appears to be channeling his uncle's energy and moves with remarkable accuracy. The official trailer will soon be playing in theaters before screenings of 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't'.
Fogelson expressed immense excitement about the project, emphasizing the overwhelmingly positive initial response to the teaser. "People have been waiting a long time for this. And we have seen wild enthusiasm. I think people are stunned with Jaafar’s performance, even in the short amount that is in this relatively brief teaser,” he said. It seems like Jaafar's performance is already silencing some early doubters.
And this is the part most people miss... Fogelson also alluded to the potential financial success of the biopic, drawing comparisons to other top-tier musical biopics. "If you look at the top tier musical biopics, you get a pretty good sense of what the range is, and anything in any version of that is going to be a huge success,” he stated. With Graham King, the producer behind the Oscar-winning 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' at the helm, expectations are certainly high.
So, what are your thoughts? Is splitting the biopic into two films a good idea, allowing for a more comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of Michael Jackson's life? Or is it a risky move that could dilute the impact of the story? And how do you feel about addressing the controversial aspects of his life versus focusing on his musical achievements? Sound off in the comments below! We want to hear your take on this potentially history-making cinematic event.
