Michael 2 is Already in Development
‘It’s Impossible to Fit It All’: Jaafar Jackson Confirms Michael 2 is Already in Development
HOLLYWOOD — Just days before the most anticipated musical biopic of the decade hits global cinemas, its star has dropped a bombshell: the story of the King of Pop is too big for just one film. Jaafar Jackson has confirmed that a sequel, tentatively titled Michael 2, is already in early development.
Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere on Monday evening, the 29-year-old actor, who has earned rave reviews for his transformative portrayal of his uncle, addressed the "contained" nature of the first film, which primarily focuses on Michael's rise with the Jackson 5 and the early stages of his solo superstardom.
‘A Story Too Big’
The revelation comes as a relief to fans who had questioned how director Antoine Fuqua intended to cover five decades of complex history in a single three-hour runtime.
“You can’t fit it all in one movie,” Jaafar told Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet. “It’s impossible. We wanted to make sure we did the early years justice, but there is so much more to tell. I can say that [a sequel] is in early development right now. We’re just getting started.”
Producer Graham King, the man behind the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, echoed these sentiments in a separate interview with ScreenRant, admitting that the "Jackson multiverse" has been a topic of serious discussion behind the scenes. “I’ve definitely been thinking about some things,” King teased. “We’ll see what happens after this weekend.”
Bridging the Controversy Gap
The decision to split the narrative into at least two parts appears to be a strategic move to address the film's most significant criticism. Early reviews from the Berlin premiere earlier this month praised Jaafar’s "electric" performance but noted that the film largely sidesteps the more "problematic" aspects of Jackson's later life, including the 1993 and 2005 legal battles.
By framing the current film as an "origin story," the creative team has effectively cleared a path for a sequel that can delve into the darker, more complex 1990s and 2000s eras.
The Michael Franchise Roadmap
| Feature | Michael (Part 1) | Michael 2 (Early Development) |
| Release Date | 24 April 2026 | TBA (Estimated 2028/29) |
| Primary Era | 1960s – Late 1980s | 1990s – 2009 |
| Key Narrative | Rise of the Jackson 5; Thriller | Global Icon Status; Controversy; This Is It |
| Director | Antoine Fuqua | TBA (Fuqua expressed interest) |
| Lead Actor | Jaafar Jackson | Jaafar Jackson (Confirmed interest) |
The Family Verdict
The Jackson family appears to be firmly behind the expansion. While Janet Jackson reportedly declined to be involved in the first film, other siblings have been more vocal. Speaking to Variety, La Toya Jackson noted that while she hadn't been formally contacted for a sequel yet, the sheer amount of archival footage and untold stories makes a second part "inevitable."
“It’s up to the producers, but I hear there might be,” she said. “Jaafar is so good, why wouldn't they want to keep going?”
Box Office Stakes
While the sequel is in development, its ultimate green-light likely depends on the opening weekend performance of the first instalment. With a staggering budget of nearly $200 million, Michael needs to be a global titan to justify a franchise.
However, with advanced ticket sales already breaking records in the UK and US, industry analysts predict the film could rival the billion-dollar success of Bohemian Rhapsody. If the "Jaafar-mania" currently sweeping social media is any indication, the King of Pop's cinematic reign is only just beginning.
Michael opens in UK and US cinemas this Friday, 24 April 2026.
