Michael Jackson’s biopic “Michael” sparked renewed controversy after opening at the box office, but the upcoming film is plagued by legal and creative issues. Page Six reports that a sequel is already 30 percent shot, and Esquire said that viewers shouldn’t expect it anytime soon, as legal issues surrounding Jackson’s final years remain unresolved. The first film starring Jaafar Jackson covers his life from 1966 to 1988 and ends with the message “His story will continue”.
‘Michael’ sequel has legal drama
According to Page Six, ‘Michael’ opened with US$217.4 million worldwide and set a new opening weekend record for a biopic. The outlet reports that Lionsgate is taking a victory lap after the film’s success, despite mixed reviews and years of controversy surrounding the production. Lionsgate film chair Adam Fogelson told Page Six Hollywood, “This was the biopic that Lionsgate had the courage to take on. It’s not like this was a Lionsgate-owned book.’“It’s always exciting when you have a big hit, but when you have a big hit at something that a lot of people didn’t think was possible, it’s especially gratifying,” he added.The film does not report Jackson’s subsequent legal troubles or child abuse. Esquire reported that the creators suggested that these parts of Jackson’s life could be explored in a second film. Director Antoine Fuqua told Deadline, “What we realized is, if you start there, some people who don’t know Michael, it’s out of context.”Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson, said today: “There’s a possibility that there will be a second part, to deal with other things that will happen later.”
‘Michael’ biopic reshoots and plans for sequel
The New York Times reported, via Esquire, that the allegations were once an important part of “Michael” before legal issues forced the changes. A 1993 settlement barred one plaintiff, Jordan Chandler, from portraying or referencing Jackson’s life in film or television.Producer Graham King told The Today Show Australia, “We had a legal issue that we discovered after we finished shooting the film, that the estate didn’t realize it at the time… So it was a bit of a surprise.”Lionsgate reportedly spent $50 million on reshoots and reworked the film’s third act. Page Six reports that the studio will decide its next steps in the coming weeks as it considers how to continue the story without running into the same legal restrictions.
