Fresh off a record-breaking opening weekend that Hollywood is calling the biggest biopic debut ever, the planned sequel to Lionsgate’s ‘Michael‘ is already facing serious legal problems. These problems could change or even stop the movie from getting made.
Antoine Fuqua directed the Michael Jackson biopic, which stars the late singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson. It opened to about $97 million domestically and over $217 million worldwide in its first weekend. That blew past expectations and set a new record for music biopics. People packed theaters, drawn in by big-budget visuals, exciting musical performances, and a celebration of Jackson’s unmatched talent as the King of Pop. A closing title card that says “His story continues” only made people more excited for more.
Legal Troubles Loom Over Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel
Yet behind all that box office success, the production has a messy history full of expensive legal problems. The original ‘Michael‘ went through costly reshoots that reportedly cost the Jackson estate tens of millions of dollars. That happened after lawyers found a restrictive clause in a 1990s settlement with an accuser named Jordan Chandler.
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The clause said no one could show or even mention Chandler or his family in any film or TV show. So the whole third act got thrown out. The act framed parts of Jackson’s later life around the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations. Jackson denied those allegations and settled for more than $20 million without admitting fault. About 30 percent of the original footage got cut, though some of it might be used in a follow-up.
Will There be a Michael Jackson Biopic Part 2?
Producer Graham King, who has been working on this project since 2019, and director Fuqua have both said they feel good about having enough material for more.
In case you missed it: Antoine Fuqua Breaks Silence on Michael Jackson Abuse Allegations Ahead of $15M Biopic Release, Says ‘I’m Not Convinced’
Fuqua recently told reporters there is “absolutely” enough unused footage for a possible Part Two. He talked about how hard it was to balance celebrating Jackson’s life with the tougher parts of it. “That was a tough day,” Fuqua said about the decision to do reshoots. He noted that audiences might feel uneasy knowing the story “didn’t end well, unfortunately.”
Lionsgate executives haven’t officially given the sequel a green light yet, but they have been getting ready. Film chairman Adam Fogelson said, “We absolutely have more story to tell. We have prepared for that moment. And if the audience reinforces that they’re ready for more, we’re prepared to give it to them sooner rather than later.” Producer King also said on the red carpet, “We’re definitely kicking around some ideas.”
New Lawsuit Threatens Michael Jackson Sequel
The legal issues go beyond the 1993 case. New allegations came up in February when four siblings from the Cascio family filed a lawsuit against the Jackson estate. The Cascios were once described as Jackson’s “second family.” They claimed he repeatedly sexually assaulted them while they were at Neverland Ranch and on tours.
The family had reached a secret settlement before for a reported $16 million, but the payments allegedly stopped. That led to new legal action involving claims of abuse, grooming, and being silenced.
For now, Michael keeps celebrating its success, proving that Jackson’s cultural pull is still strong. But the “major legal dramas” hanging over the franchise are a stark reminder. Even in Hollywood, the King of Pop’s most complicated legacy refuses to leave the stage.
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