*Lionsgate has hinted at the possibility of a sequel to its highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic after the film’s teaser trailer achieved staggering viewership.
Released last week, the footage features Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, portraying the late King of Pop and garnered 116.2 million views in its first 24 hours, including 30 million across all official channels within six hours.
During a recent earnings call, Lionsgate Motion Picture Chair Adam Fogelson addressed potential plans for a follow-up. Per Deadline, he stated, “Since the last time we worked together on an earnings call, we’ve had the great pleasure of seeing the director’s cut of the first film, and it is exceptional. While we’re not yet ready to confirm plans for a second film, I can tell you that 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.”
It was previously reported that the biopic will be released in two parts. The decision comes both from the extensive scope of the original script and the reshoots that removed a portrayal of an alleged abuse victim due to a legal settlement preventing on-screen depiction. The first installment is set to trace Jackson’s early career across various stages of his life.
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The synopsis emphasizes that audiences will witness “some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before.”
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film also features Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, and Miles Teller as manager and lawyer John Branca. The film promises to capture “triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale – from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances.”
Fuqua praised Jaafar’s performance, telling Variety, “It’s incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life. There was such a spiritual connection when I first met Jaafar, who has a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera.”
“Michael” is scheduled to premiere in theaters on April 24, 2026.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: First Teaser for ‘Michael’ Biopic Shows Jaafar Jackson Bringing King of Pop to Life | Watch
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