Michael Jackson: sequel "Michael 2" will tackle the abuse allegations

The second chapter of the biopic about Michael Jackson will tackle one of the most controversial aspects of the singer's life: the accusations of child sexual abuse. This was revealed by Jaafar Jackson, the popstar's nephew and the actor who portrays him on the big screen, who hinted that the story will be told trying above all to convey the American artist's own point of view.
The sequel is currently in development and filming is expected to begin by the end of 2026, with a possible theatrical release between late 2027 and early 2028. The project was fast-tracked following the extraordinary commercial success of the first "Michael", which topped a billion dollars at the worldwide box office, making it the highest-grossing biopic in film history.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the first film reconstructs Jackson's childhood, his beginnings with the Jackson 5, his difficult relationship with his father Joe, and his subsequent rise to international stardom, stopping at the "Bad World Tour" of the late 1980s. The follow-up will therefore focus on the last and most troubled part of his life, inevitably marked by the accusations and legal proceedings.
Speaking to "GQ Middle East", Jaafar Jackson explained what perspective the new film should adopt: "I think the second movie will give even more space to his point of view, because at the end of the day the allegations have always been told by others. It's always been someone else's ideas, or someone else's stories, driven by personal gain. That's the real issue we've faced as a family: Michael's voice has never been heard."

The actor made clear he has no decision-making role in the writing of the film, but his words seem to clearly signal the direction the production intends to take. The original screenplay for the first instalment was reportedly meant to address the allegations, portraying Jackson as the victim of an attempted extortion. A legal obstacle, however, forced the production to cut those sections and reshoot the ending, at an estimated extra cost of around $16.5 million. A clause contained in an old out-of-court settlement in fact barred the singer's foundation from mentioning Jordan Chandler in the film.
In 1993, Evan Chandler, a Los Angeles dentist and screenwriter, accused Jackson of sexually abusing his thirteen-year-old son Jordan. The singer always denied every allegation, and the case was settled in 1994 with a financial agreement between the parties. In 2013, four years after the pop star's death, choreographer Wade Robson filed a lawsuit against the artist's estate, claiming he had been abused between the ages of seven and fourteen. Similar accusations were made by former child actor James Safechuck. Robson and Safechuck later became the focus of the documentary "Leaving Neverland", released in 2019 and fiercely contested by Jackson's estate, which has always rejected every accusation levelled at the singer. The film also sparked a lengthy legal battle, for which a new trial date has been set in 2028.

Lionsgate had already hinted for some months at its intention to continue the story. Adam Fogelson, head of the company's film division, stated: "Right now we're mainly focused on how, while keeping an appropriate budget, to deliver the best and grandest possible sequel. That's what audiences want and deserve after the experience we gave them the first time." The key question, however, remains how the film will manage to handle such sensitive material without turning into a mere defensive exercise on behalf of the Jackson family.

Ride the wave of great music

Add OndaRock to your favorite sources on Google Discover. Don't miss our reviews, milestones and latest news straight in your feed.

Follow on Google