**Lionsgate Eyes Sequel for Michael Jackson Biopic Amid Controversy Over Footage Exclusions**
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Lionsgate is reportedly contemplating the possibility of a sequel to the upcoming biopic ‘Michael’, which chronicles the life of the iconic pop star Michael Jackson. The news follows the revelation that certain scenes, including those featuring actress Kat Graham as Diana Ross, were excluded from the film’s final cut.
Graham shared an explanation for her absence from the completed film via social media on 23 April. The actress, who confirmed her role as the legendary Supremes lead singer back in 2024, stated that legal considerations significantly impacted the inclusion of several scenes she filmed. In her statement, Graham expressed disappointment: “Unfortunately, those moments are no longer part of the Final Cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.”
The biopic is set to premiere on 24 April. It showcases Jackson’s rise to fame as a member of the Jackson 5 and his eventual complexities with his family and management, primarily under the guidance of his father, Joe Jackson. However, it remains unclear how Diana Ross’s character fits into the broader narrative, especially considering their earlier collaboration in the 1978 film adaptation of ‘The Wiz’.
In a twist of fate, the production faced significant challenges surrounding the treatment of sensitive historical allegations against Jackson. In May 2025, Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer noted during an earnings call that the film was delayed in its initial 2025 release date, suggesting that legal constraints had necessitated reshoots. A report from Puck highlighted that lawyers discovered a clause in a settlement with Jordan Chandler, a figure linked to allegations of abuse against Jackson, which barred any dramatisation of such claims in the movie—a topic that has been denied vehemently by Jackson and his estate for many years.
Director Antoine Fuqua elaborated further on these challenges in a recent interview with The New Yorker. He indicated that certain filmed segments, including a reenactment of a 1993 police raid on Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, had to be omitted from the release due to the aforementioned legal restrictions. This unused footage has sparked discussions among the creative team about potentially incorporating it into a sequel, providing a continuation of Jackson’s story, as indicated by a title card that reads: “His Story Continues.”
The biopic boasts a star-studded cast, with Jaafar Jackson portraying his iconic uncle. Other notable figures in the film include Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as Michael’s lawyer John Branca, and several others, including Kendrick Sampson and Mike Myers.
As anticipation builds for the film’s release, fans and critics alike are keen to see how the complexities of Jackson’s life are portrayed, particularly in light of the sensitive subjects addressed. While Graham’s omission from the film raises questions about the decisions made during production, it also highlights ongoing debates regarding the representation of Jackson’s legacy in popular culture.
In the meantime, the industry will be watching closely as Lionsgate contemplates the potential sequel. The prospect of exploring the untold stories behind Jackson’s life has piqued the interest of many, setting the stage for continued discussions about both the artist’s achievements and the controversies that have surrounded him.
With ‘Michael’ set to debut in theatres on 24 April, it promises to be a significant moment in cinematic portrayals of music history, though the impact of excluding key scenes remains to be seen. As audiences gear up for the film, questions linger about the implications of artistic choices made in light of legal and ethical considerations, leaving room for speculation on how such complexities will influence a possible follow-up project.