Michael Jackson Biopic Director Hints At Sequel As Film Faces Controversy

The new biopic about Michael Jackson was generating controversy before it had even hit cinemas.

In the lead-up to its release, Michael was torn apart by critics, many of whom took issue with the fact that it comes to an end in 1988, meaning the controversies that surrounded Jackson in his later years – most notably the allegations of child sexual abuse levelled against him – were left unexplored in the film.

However, scenes addressing these allegations were originally intended to be included in the film, only to wind up on the cutting room floor, with reports suggesting that they could potentially be included in a sequel to Michael in the future.

Director Antoine Fuqua previously told the New Yorker that he had originally filmed a scene with Jaafar Jackson, depicting a raid on the Neverland ranch in 1993, following allegations of child molestation made against Jackson.

It’s been widely reported that, ultimately, these scenes were not able to be included, after the Jackson estate – who collaborated on the film – discovered a clause in a settlement with the accuser in question, stating that his name and likeness could never be depicted in a film.

As a result, the decision was made to end Michael with a performance of Bad in the late 1980s, with the cast being brought back for costly reshoots to help complete the film in its current iteration.

However, in it its closing moments, an on-screen message reads “his story continues” – suggesting that a second film could be on the cards (The Hollywood Reporter, citing an undisclosed “insider”, has claimed this was a late addition to the film, introduced once “the filmmakers and the studios behind Michael began to realise how successful the movie could become”).

Reports previously claimed that around three-and-a-half hours’ worth of footage was shot for Michael, which was then reduced to the two-hour finished product.

Cast members Colman Domingo and Nia Long have both said that a sequel addressing the next stage of Michael Jackson’s life is a possibility, with the filmmaker behind Michael also weighing in during a recent interview.

In the lead-up to Michael’s release, That Grape Juice shared an interview with Antoine Fuqua, in which the filmmaker was asked: “How do you even begin to even think about honouring that version of him, without undoing what you’ve done here with Michael?”

“With the same integrity,” he responded. “If that was to happen, you try to tell the truth as you know it, and to do it with integrity.

“And, you know, you don’t want to sensationalise anything. Being a movie star, rock star, superstar like Michael, there’s enough of that already. You don’t have to do much.

“But I think the key is, like, who was he as a human being? Stay on that path and then we’ll be OK, because that’s what it’s about. It’s a biopic, it’s about a human being, he’s a real person. So that’s the key. People have to remember that.”

The chairman of the production company Lionsgate also told The Hollywood Reporter at the Michael premiere: “We absolutely have more story to tell. We have prepared for that moment. And if the audience reinforces that they’re ready for more, we’re prepared to give it to them sooner rather than later.”

Producer Graham King agreed: “We’re definitely kicking around some ideas. We’ll see what happens very soon.”

Asked about the accusations during his aforementioned New Yorker interview, Fuqua respnded: “When I hear things about us – Black people in particular, especially in a certain position – there’s always pause.”

He added that “sometimes people do some nasty things for some money”, which prompted a response from Dan Reed, the director behind Leaving Neverland, a documentary focussing on the allegations made by two of Jackson’s accusers.

“For Antoine Fuqua to accuse people of gold digging is kind of ironic,” Reed told The Hollywood Reporter in a separate piece. “It seems to me all the people involved in this movie are just making bank.”

He then questioned: “How can you tell an authentic story about Michael Jackson without ever mentioning the fact that he was seriously accused of being a child molester? I just don’t really see it.

“If anyone’s making money, it’s Michael Jackson’s estate and the people who worked on this biographical picture.”

Michael is in cinemas now.