Michael 2: A second film about Michael Jackson is reportedly already considered following box office record
A statement from a key figure behind the project catches one's attention
Shortly after the theatrical release of "Michael," plans for a second film about Michael Jackson are apparently already considered. Speculation about a sequel to director Antoine Fuqua's biopic was already circulating before the film had even been released. But now, one of the key figures behind the project has spoken out about the potential sequel on Matthew Belloni's podcast "The Town": Adam Fogelson, who serves as film chair at the production company Lionsgate. When asked whether the sequel will be made, he responded with a statement that's sure to catch one's attention:
"I think the likelihood is very high."
His answer suggests that a lot would have to happen for the expected sequel not to materialize. Nevertheless, there is still no official confirmation or concrete announcement. In any case, Fogelson remained relatively vague regarding the possible plans for a second installment. However, during his conversation with Belloni, he did touch on what a second installment of "Michael" might focus on. Although he didn't want to preempt the filmmakers, he said:
"There is a massive amount of music, some of his greatest music, and life experiences separate and apart from allegations – a ton of it – that would fill more than a second movie on its own."
What the first Michael Jackson film is about
The allegations mentioned refer to child abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, which do not appear in the film. In terms of content, the film focuses not only on the career of the singer (played by Jaafar Jackson) but primarily on the conflict between him and his father and manager, Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo). The biopic spans Michael Jackson's childhood in the 1960s and his rise to stardom as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, all the way to his breakthrough as a solo artist. First, in the late 1970s with the album "Off the Wall," and then with its follow-up "Thriller," which became the best-selling record of all time in the early 1980s. We also get to see a performance of his hit "Bad" from the late 1980s. However, the film does not go any further than that. As for the period that followed, there is still plenty of material on Jackson's life and work to make a second installment.
An earlier version of the film also addressed the child abuse allegations. It focused on a case from 1993. However, it was later determined that a court settlement from that time prohibited any film adaptation of the case. The relevant scenes were removed, so that in the end, neither these nor any other allegations against Michael Jackson appeared in the film. That said, given the allegations, the earlier version would likely have taken Jackson's side anyway, as statements by director Antoine Fuqua suggest. Whether and in what form this would be different in a sequel remains to be seen.
A second Michael film would not be surprising given the record-breaking opening
In any case, much remains unclear regarding a possible sequel. Fogelson has neither confirmed nor ruled out Fuqua's return as director at this point. Generally speaking, more information will likely be available in a couple of weeks, Fogelson explained. Anyway, a sequel would be anything but surprising. On the one hand, because the plot of the first film only extends into the 1980s. On the other hand, because "Michael" has had a financially outstanding theatrical release. Since its release on April 24, the film has grossed $237 million worldwide. During its opening weekend it earned $97 million in the U.S. and $217 million globally – the best biopic opening of all time.
What's interesting here is the discrepancy between audience and critics' reviews. Many viewers are clearly enthusiastic about what they saw on the big screen, while film critics tend to give it a negative reception. On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, for example, only 37 percent of all critics' reviews are positive – in contrast, 97 percent of audience reviews are positive. You can find out what our verdict is in the META film review from KinoCheck.
