The Controversial Biopic of Michael Jackson
After years in production, Lionsgate’s controversial biopic about the legendary pop star Michael Jackson finally made its debut in cinemas earlier this month. The film, titled Michael, has sparked a lot of debate and interest, with the studio now confirming that a sequel is in the works.
The movie received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. For instance, Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent gave it just one star and described it as a “ghoulish, soulless cash grab.” Despite these harsh critiques, the film was a massive box office success, securing the biggest opening weekend for any music biopic in history. It earned $217 million globally during its first weekend and has since brought in an impressive $715.8 million worldwide.
These financial figures have led to discussions about a potential follow-up. During a quarterly earnings call reported by Variety, Adam Fogelson, the chair of Lionsgate’s motion picture division, confirmed that preparations for a second film are already well underway and progressing “exceptionally well.”
Fogelson highlighted that there is a wealth of untold stories about Michael Jackson that could be explored in the sequel. He mentioned that many of the most popular parts of Jackson’s music catalog were not covered in the first film, along with various events that occurred during the time frame of the original movie.
A Story That Continues
The first film ended with Jackson’s 1988 Bad tour. However, it was initially planned to also cover the early 1990s, when the family of 13-year-old Jordan Chandler accused the King of Pop of sexual abuse against the teenager. This case was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, believed to be as high as $30 million.
Last-minute changes saw scenes involving these allegations cut from the film, and the ending was hastily reshot after lawyers realized that including the claims would violate the settlement agreement. Jackson always maintained his innocence throughout his life, and his estate continues to vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
What Lies Ahead
Fogelson has now revealed that some of the footage left on the cutting room floor will be included in the sequel. “We think we’ve got 25 to 30 per cent of a second movie already shot from the prior production activity, and so obviously that will have some [financial] benefit ultimately,” he said.
The biopic faced accusations of “whitewashing” the star’s story – a claim refuted by actor Colman Domingo, who played Jackson’s father, Joe. The 56-year-old stated earlier this month that the film tells MJ’s story “through his eyes.”
“That’s what it is,” he added. “That’s what this film is, and there’s the possibility of there being a part two that may deal with other things that may happen afterwards.”
The Legacy of Michael Jackson
The story of Michael Jackson remains complex and multifaceted, with both his artistic achievements and personal controversies shaping his legacy. As the industry looks toward a potential sequel, the question of how to portray his life becomes even more significant. The first film aimed to present Jackson’s journey through his own perspective, but the challenges of telling such a polarizing story remain.
With the success of Michael and the confirmation of a sequel, the world will be watching closely to see how the next chapter of Jackson’s life unfolds on screen. Whether it will provide new insights or further fuel the debates surrounding his legacy remains to be seen.
