Studio Boss Discusses Potential Michael Jackson Film Franchise

The recent success of the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ has ignited early conversations about transforming the project into a full film series.

The movie has made a strong debut at the global box office, raking in approximately 217 million dollars. This impressive figure surpasses previous records for music biopics, including ‘Oppenheimer,’ which opened at around 174 million dollars worldwide in 2023, as reported by Variety.

Despite its strong opening, the film’s production was costly, with reports indicating a total budget nearing 200 million dollars, which accounts for additional reshoots. Nevertheless, the early box office results suggest it is likely to turn a profit during its theatrical run.

The narrative in the current film primarily centers on Michael Jackson’s early career, concluding around the time of his ‘Bad’ tour in the late 1980s. It does not delve into later aspects of his life or the legal controversies he faced, which has led to some criticism regarding perceived “whitewashing” in public discussions.

Some individuals associated with the film have already hinted at the possibility of continuing the story. Actor Colman Domingo, who portrays Jackson’s father Joe, has previously mentioned the idea of a sequel that could explore later events in Jackson’s life.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson also addressed the potential for expanding the narrative. In comments reported by Business Insider, he stated, “Look, there’s at least one more movie.” He elaborated that a longer approach could enable the team to present a more comprehensive version of Jackson’s life story rather than condensing everything into a single film.

Variety also reports that earlier drafts of the movie included scenes set in the early 1990s, featuring moments involving police activity at Neverland Ranch. However, these scenes were ultimately cut before the film’s release. Legal restrictions tied to past agreements reportedly influenced the decision to remove certain material during production.

Due to these alterations, the film underwent reshoots costing around 15 million dollars, which also delayed its release. The production changes were significant enough that the ending was rewritten. In the final version, the story remains focused on Jackson’s music career and his relationship with his father, rather than later legal troubles.

Business Insider reports that while Lionsgate executives have not confirmed any sequel, they have not dismissed the idea either. Any future films would hinge on decisions made by the creative team, including the producer, director, and writer involved in the current project.

Fogelson also remarked, “From my perspective, it’s important to try to give the audience an authentic understanding of who Michael Jackson was,” adding that this could be achieved with or without the material that was omitted from the original version.

Transforming a biopic into a multi-film series carries inherent risks. While it allows for a more detailed narrative, it also raises questions about what content is included or excluded. With a figure as complex as Michael Jackson, these decisions become even more sensitive. What are your thoughts? Should his life be depicted across multiple films, or should it remain as a single comprehensive movie? Share your opinions in the comments.