The Michael Jackson biopic is finally hitting screens. It's a busy time for films, among Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and more.
The King of Pop has a uniquely complex story to tell, having begun performing at just six years old with the Jackson 5, before going on to release landmark solo albums and ultimately becoming mired in controversy surrounding sexual abuse allegations and the ongoing scrutiny of his changing appearance and public image.
The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and explores the life of the singer and songwriter, starring Jaafar Jackson in the titular role.
At the end, a title card appears on screen. In shimmery gold lettering, it reads: “His Story Continues.” Does that mean we’re getting Michael: Part Two? And if so, what exactly will it cover, and how far will the story go beyond his rise to global superstardom and into the most complicated chapters of his legacy?
Will there be a Michael: Part Two?
Does his story continue with another film?
The title card was a relatively last-minute addition, according to a knowledgeable insider, who says it was only put in about a month ago, when the filmmakers and the studios behind Michael began to realise how successful the movie could become. A source told The Hollywood Reporter that the script for that potential second film from writer John Logan has yet to be finished, and insiders claim nothing will be officially decided until Michael opens April 24.
“We absolutely have more story to tell,” Lionsgate film chair Adam Fogelson told THR on the red carpet at Monday night’s premiere. “We have prepared for that moment. And if the audience reinforces that they’re ready for more, we’re prepared to give it to them sooner rather than later.” But, Fogelson noted, the decision to make a sequel won’t be determined by box office totals alone but also by fan desire for more of Jackson’s story.
Of a sequel, producer Graham King said at the premiere, “We’re definitely kicking around some ideas. We’ll see what happens very soon, but right now, I have so much anxiety about people seeing this one.”
The original 3 hours and 30 minutes of film was cut down to 2 hours, so there’s a lot of material left on the cutting room floor.
As for a potential sequel, usable footage from the initial shoot, including concert footage from the Dangerous and Invincible tours, could make up as much as a third of a potential second film, according to sources. But those who have seen the movie also question what is left to tell, as the film already covers much of Jackson’s most popular music, and it’s unclear how a production unwilling or uninterested in tackling Jackson’s controversies would handle the latter part of his life.
King reportedly told Lionsgate that Michael Part 2 would focus on Jackson’s albums Dangerous (1991), Invincible (2001), the construction of Neverland Ranch, and “his love of animals."
When would Michael: Part Two come out?
At the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, Lionsgate CFO Jim Barge suggested that Michael 2 would likely arrive during the studio’s fiscal 2028 period, roughly between April 2027 and March 2028.
Was Michael meant to end differently?
The film was originally shot with a different ending, which was later scrapped following a legal oversight involving the Michael Jackson estate, which is backing the project. The original version reportedly included Jackson confronting serious allegations that formed a significant part of its third act. However, a prior legal agreement with an accuser reportedly restricted any future commercial depiction related to them.
An additional 22 days of reshoots took place in June 2025, with extra production costs covered by the estate due to the issue. At that point, a plan was also put forward to studio partners to split the project into two films.
Originally, the film was intended to address the controversies surrounding Jackson’s legacy more directly. “I shot him being stripped naked, treated like an animal, a monster,” Fuqua told The New Yorker when describing a scene filmed during the depiction of the Neverland Ranch raid.
Following the reshoots, producer King reportedly pushed for a revised version of Michael that takes a more uplifting approach, focusing primarily on Jackson’s music and performances rather than legal controversies.
The updated version of Michael now leans heavily into his rise as a global superstar, ending with the Jacksons’ 1984 Victory Tour, after which Jackson begins his solo ascent leading into the Bad era. With its focus on music and performance, the film is now more in line with titles like Bohemian Rhapsody than Elvis.
We’ll keep you posted on Michael: Part Two.
