Jaafar Jackson reveals major ‘Michael 2’ plot detail: ‘This is to tell...’
Jaafar Jackson opened up about his hopes for 'Michael 2' and what it will explore about his uncle years later. In an interview with GQ Middle East, he said the sequel should give his uncle’s perspective greater prominence. The screenplay remains in development, and Jaafar acknowledged that he has no say in its scope or story. His comments describe what he hopes the follow-up will convey.
“There’s been so many stories told about Michael from so many different people,” Jaafar said. “This is to tell Michael’s story finally from the point of view of himself.” He added, “There’s so much more to Michael’s story. There’s so much to who Michael was and how he expressed himself.” The first film ends in 1987 with the release of the ‘Bad’ music video, before allegations against the singer emerged in the early ’90s.
When asked how much ‘Michael 2’ could explore the criticism and allegations Michael faced, Jaafar said, “I think the second film will give even more insight from his point of view, because at the end of the day, [the allegations] are always from someone else’s.” He continued, “It’s someone else’s story. It’s someone else’s idea of what it is, and it’s mainly driven by an agenda.” He then explained why that perspective matters to his family. “And that’s really the issue we’ve been having as a family – not having Michael’s voice being heard. I think that’s very, very important, especially in the late years.”
Jaafar said splitting the story between two films created room for a deeper account. “This first film focuses on Michael from his roots. So you get that idea of who he was before he had all the success and became the icon that people are familiar with, you understand who he was as a human being first, because at the end of the day, that’s who he was in the ’90s until he passed,” he said.
“He never changed that purity, that sense of always wanting to find the good in other people. And no matter all the stuff he went through, how he was treated, what things were said about him, he never stopped treating people with kindness. He never stopped believing in and wanting to look for the good in people… even though he was broken, his heart still stayed the same… I hope that this is felt in the second movie,” he added.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Adam Fogelson told Deadline that production is targeting a start near the end of 2026 or early 2027. He also said previously filmed material, including major musical sequences, will probably be incorporated. The first ‘Michael’ film earned around $1 billion worldwide. A release date for ‘Michael 2’ has not been announced.
