That “Michael” sequel, which seems like an inevitability at this point, especially after the first one hit $1 billion at the box office this year, has just gained further momentum.
Turns out, ‘Michael 2’ is among 35 productions in the California Film Commission's latest round of approvals, which hands out $226M in incentives overall. It’s going to be getting $31M in taxpayer money to shoot — probably in early 2027.
Other projects granted tax credits include Mike Mills’ next film, Ice Cube’s ‘Friday’ sequel, and Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Maniac Cop.”
This isn't new territory for ‘Michael’ franchise. The first "Michael" picked up $21M in state credits. So why the bigger check this time? California has sweetened its program since the original was shot. The credit now covers 35% of qualified costs, double the 17.5% rate the first film got. The numbers suggest "Michael 2" will probably have a budget of around $120M+, and that's despite 30% of the film having already been shot in 2023.
The studio expects "Michael 2" to reach theaters sometime between late 2027 and early 2028. While Lionsgate has not disclosed a budget for the sequel, the first film cost $200M. Fogelson confirmed that previously filmed material, including several major musical sequences, will be incorporated. Antoine Fuqua had to cut the film's entire second half, which tackled the '90s, due to a lawsuit from one of Jackson's accusers.
No word yet on whether Fuqua will return to direct the sequel. He just had his "Hannibal the Conqueror" biopic shelved by Netflix, only weeks before it was supposed to start production.
My only question is: how can you possibly cover '90s Michael Jackson without tackling the… spectacle that followed? The oxygen chamber, Neverland Ranch, the veils, the face masks, and the blatant plastic surgery that turned his appearance into a constantly shifting identity.
Forget the allegations. With the Jackson estate overseeing the IP, and the singer's accusers threatening legal action if the film so much as mentions their claims, it will almost certainly be watered down.
Remember when David Krumholtz quit acting? That was two months ago. He said he had sent the "definitive email" and described feeling the weight of the world lift off his shoulders.