Michael 2 Gets Update From Lionsgate Boss After Divisive Reception

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Despite some negative feedback, Lionsgate is moving forward with a sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic. The film is expected to be the studio’s first to earn $1 billion at the box office.

During an earnings call, Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Adam Fogelson shared that the studio is very pleased with how development is going on a sequel to Michael, according to reports.

Michael 2 Will Cover Some of the Pop Singer’s Biggest Songs

Fogelson said discussions with key people are progressing very well. He also mentioned there are many fascinating stories about Michael Jackson, and a significant portion of his most famous music wasn’t included in the initial movie.

A follow-up film would probably focus on the singer’s later years. However, the producer suggested they might also include events from the 1960s to the 1980s that weren’t covered in the first movie, giving them the flexibility to jump between different time periods. “We have the option to tell the story moving forward and back,” he explained.

The original story left out a lot of interesting events, even those that happened during the same time period. We’re certain this new film will be very entertaining for audiences worldwide as all the details connect, according to a Lionsgate executive.

Michael Finds Box Office Success Despite Negative Reviews

As of today, the movie Michael has earned over $715 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2026. It’s also the fourth-highest-grossing biographical movie ever, following Oppenheimer, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Hi, Mom.

Michael Jackson was a hugely influential artist, so it’s understandable that a movie about his life has drawn large crowds. However, the film Michael has faced criticism for glossing over the controversies surrounding him, specifically the serious accusations of abuse. Many critics felt these important issues should have been addressed.

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 39% rating, based on 284 reviews. However, viewers loved it, giving it a near-perfect score based on over 10,000 ratings.

Antoine Fuqua directed the film Michael, based on a screenplay by John Logan. Although the exact start date for the sequel is unknown, studio executive Fogelson mentioned that around 25-30% of the footage was already filmed during the initial production, which will help speed up the process when they continue.

Michael is playing in theaters.

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2026-05-22 18:38