Lionsgate is moving forward with a second film centered on the life of Michael Jackson. Studio chief Adam Fogelson recently indicated that a significant portion of the sequel's footage may have already been captured during the production of the first movie.

The 30 percent head start on a Michael Jackson sequel

Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson has revealed that the studio may already possess between 25 and 30 percent of the footage needed for a second Michael Jackson film. As reported by Variety,Fogelson noted that this material consists of scenes shot for the original biopic that were ultimately left on the cutting room floor. By recycling this existing production activity, Lionsgate hopes to streamline the creation of another "satisfying movie" for a global audience.

This strategy suggests a desire to maintain the momentum of the first film, which was directed by Antoine Fuqua and starred Jackson's nephew, Jaafar. According to the report, Fogelson believes there is still a vast amount of "entertaining" story and music catalog material that the first installment did not cover, suggesting the sequel may employ a non-chronological narrative that moves "forwards and backwards" through the singer's life.

Why the 1988 timeline cutoff sparked renewed scrutiny

The first Michael biopic achieved massive commercial success, becoming the second-highest-grossing biopic of all time, trailing only Bohemian Rhapsody.. However, the film's narrative structure—which concludes in 1988—has drawn criticism for conveniently stopping before the most explosive allegations of child sexual abuse became public knowledge. This editorial choice allows the film to focus on the peak of Jackson's global stardom while avoiding the darker chapters of his later years.

This pattern of curated legacy is not new. The tension between Jackson's artistic achievements and his personal controversies has defined his public image for decades. By limiting the scope of the first film, Lionsgate successfully marketed a "gushing" portrait of the artist, but the move has only heightened the debate over whether a complete cinematic biography of Michael Jackson can ever truly exist without addressing the claims of his accusers.

The $20 million settlement blocking Jordie Chandler's story

Legal constraints continue to dictate what can and cannot be shown on screen regarding Michael Jackson's life. A primary example is a 1994 settlement totaling $20 million reached with the family of Jordie Chandler. Under the strict terms of that legal agreement, the character of Jordie Chandler cannot be portrayed or even mentioned in a motion picture, effectively erasing a significant piece of the singer's legal history from the Lionsgate production.

Beyond the Chandler case , the studio must navigate a history of litigation and public accusations. While Michael Jackson was acquitted of charges in a 2005 court case involving Gavin Arvizo, the persistence of these claims remains a volatility risk for any studio. The report highlights that the Jackson estate has previously used non-disparagement clauses to protect the singer's image, including a legal battle that led to the removal of the documentary Leaving Neverland from HBO Max.

From the Cascio lawsuit to the removal of Leaving Neverland

The timing of the sequel's announcement coincides with a new wave of legal challenges. Four members of the Cascio family have recently filed a lawsuit alleging that Michael Jackson sexually abused them as children. these new claims, alongside the historical testimonies of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, create a challenging environment for Adam Fogelson and Lionsgate as they determine the thematic direction of the second film.

The central question remains: will the sequel continue to avoid the abuse allegations, or will it finally address them? While Fogelson hinted at "events" in Jackson's life that could be featured, he did not explicitly confirm if the molestation claims would be tackled. Given the estate's history of litigation and the specific legal bans on mentioning figures like Jordie Chandler, it remains unclear if Lionsgate is willing to risk the estate's cooperation to tell a more complete, albeit more controversial, story.