news-old-title

Lionsgate is working on the sequel to “Michael” and hopes to start rolling the cameras soon on the second biopic about Michael Jackson.

The studio hopes to begin production in late 2026 or early 2027, Lionsgate’s motion picture chief Adam Fogelson said on Thursday’s earnings call, with the hopes of releasing the final product at the end of next year or in the first half of 2028.

Although the studio waited to officially greenlight the follow-up film, this spring’s “Michael,” which became a box office juggernaut with $1 billion globally, ends with the words “His Story Continues” — making it clear that audiences hadn’t seen the last of the King of Pop.

Antoine Fuqua directed “Michael,” which chronicles the performer’s journey from the Jackson 5 to superstar status. The first film, starring the singer’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, wraps up with 1987’s “Bad” tour. It’s unclear what period in Jackson’s life the second movie will cover, though the filmmakers can mine material including his hit album “Dangerous” as well as the multiple allegations of child sexual abuse that followed Jackson for the rest of his life.

Due to a last-minute legal dispute, “Michael” ended up omitting the most controversial aspects of Jackson’s life. The movie was supposed to address the molestation accusations, but those plans had to be scrapped after attorneys for the Jackson estate discovered a clause in the settlement with one of the accusers that barred the depiction of him in any movie. That forced the filmmakers to retool much of the story, though Fogelson said that some of the material that was cut could be used in the sequel.

“We have a number of sequences, particularly some big musical sequences, that were shot previously, that are almost sure to be incorporated,” Fogelson said on Thursday’s call. “We are mostly focused right now on how to make sure we can deliver, at the right price, the biggest, best sequel. That is what the audience is going to want and deserve after the experience we gave them the first time.”

Fogelson said he’s “not ready to give guidance on the budget yet” but said the company will be able to use some material that was previously shot.