Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar hints at allegations being explored in ‘Michael’ sequel
The first film concluded before these controversies, ending in 1987, and omitted scenes related to the 1993 allegations due to legal settlements. Lionsgate is planning production for the sequel for late 2027 or early 2028 release
The first Michael biopic stopped short of one of the most controversial chapters of the late pop star’s life. Now, Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle in the film, has hinted that the sequel could revisit the child sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, this time offering a closer look
The first Michael biopic stopped short of one of the most controversial chapters of the late pop star’s life. Now, Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle in the film, has hinted that the sequel could revisit the child sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, this time offering a closer look
The first Michael biopic stopped short of one of the most controversial chapters of the late pop star’s life. Now, Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle in the film, has hinted that the sequel could revisit the child sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, this time offering a closer look
The first Michael biopic stopped short of one of the most controversial chapters of the late pop star’s life. Now, Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle in the film, has hinted that the sequel could revisit the child sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, this time offering a closer look at the King of Pop’s perspective.
The first part of the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic ended in 1987, around the release of Jackson’s Bad album, several years before the singer faced his first allegation of sexual abuse. Fuqua previously told The New Yorker that the first movie opened with the infamous 1993 police raid on Jackson’s Neverland Ranch home following molestation allegations of abuse by Chandler.
Scenes tied to the abuse allegations were reportedly filmed during the first shoot, before a last-minute legal dispute forced producers to cut those scenes when the Jackson estate realised a clause in one of the settlements with accuser Chandler blocked them from addressing those claims.
But earlier this month, Lionsgate motion picture head Adam Fogelson said the studio hopes to start production on the sequel later this year or early next year, with plans to release part two in late 2027 or early 2028.
What Jaafar Jackson said about Michael’s perspective
In an interview with GQ Middle East, Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson, said he does not have a say in which parts of his uncle’s later life will ultimately feature in the sequel. However, he hopes that Michael’s perspective will be felt in the film.
“He never changed that purity, that sense of always wanting to find the good in other people,” Jaafar said. “And no matter all the stuff he went through, how he was treated, what things were said about him, he never stopped treating people with kindness.”
He added that despite everything Michael went through, “his heart still stayed the same” and said, “I hope that this is felt in the second movie.”
The allegations against Michael Jackson
In 1993, the family of Jordan Chandler accused Jackson of sexual abuse. The case was investigated by Santa Barbara authorities, who did not file criminal charges. Jackson later settled a civil lawsuit brought by the family for a reported $25 million.
In 2003, Jackson was arrested and indicted on several counts of child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent and other charges involving 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo. The case went to trial, and Jackson was acquitted of all charges in 2005.
The 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland featured allegations from Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who said Jackson sexually abused them as children. Jackson and his representatives consistently denied allegations of impropriety involving children, and he was never found guilty of any charges.
Michael sequel is already in development
The sequel is already in development. Miles Teller, who played Michael’s lawyer-manager John Branca in the first film, confirmed in May that a follow-up was being planned. Earlier this month, Adam Fogelson said the studio was targeting production towards the end of this year or early next year.
Written by John Logan, Michael follows Jackson’s journey from his childhood as a member of the Jackson 5 to his emergence as a global pop star. Jaafar Jackson leads the film alongside Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson.
The film grossed $1.021 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing biographical film of all time, the first biopic to cross the $1 billion mark, the highest-grossing Lionsgate film and the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2026.