Michael Jackson’s cinematic journey in the biopic ‘Michael’ began with a stunning world premiere, sparking anticipation for the sequels. However, the road ahead is fraught with complex legal issues and the task of respectfully dealing with Jackson’s turbulent final years.
The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” has sparked new debate after a strong opening at the box office, but the follow-up film faces legal and creative issues. Page Six reported that 30 percent of the sequel has already been filmed, while Esquire said viewers shouldn’t expect it soon due to unresolved legal issues tied to Jackson’s final years.
The first film, starring Jafar Jackson, covers his life from 1966 to 1988 and ends with the message “His story will continue.”
Part 2: Michael faces legal drama
According to Page Six, “Michael” opened with $217.4 million worldwide and set a new opening weekend record for a biopic. Lionsgate is on a roll after the film’s success despite mixed reviews and years of controversy surrounding the production, the outlet reported. “This was a biopic that Lionsgate had the unique courage to take on,” Adam Fogelson, president of Lionsgate’s motion picture division, told Page Six Hollywood.
It’s not like this book was owned by Lionsgate.“It’s always exciting when you have a big success, but when you have a big success for something that a lot of people didn’t think was possible, that’s especially fun,” he added.The film does not cover Jackson’s subsequent legal troubles or allegations of child abuse. Esquire reported that the filmmakers suggested that those parts of Jackson’s life could be explored in a second film.
“What we realized is, if you start from there, some people who don’t know Michael, it’s going to be out of context,” director Antoine Fuqua told Deadline.“There’s a possibility that there could be a sequel, which might deal with some of the other things that happen after that,” Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson, told Today.
Reshoots of Michael’s biopic and plans for a sequel
The New York Times, via Esquire, reported that the allegations were once a major part of “Michael” before legal issues forced changes.
The 1993 settlement reportedly barred one of the defendants, Jordan Chandler, from appearing or being referenced in film or television about Jackson’s life.“We had a legal issue that we discovered after we finished shooting the movie, and the company didn’t realize it at the time… so it was a bit of a shock,” producer Graham King told The Today Show Australia.Lionsgate reportedly spent US$50 million on reshoots and reworked the third act of the film. Page Six reported that the studio will decide its next steps in the coming weeks as it considers how to continue the story without falling into the same legal restrictions.
