Jaafar Jackson: ‘Michael’ Sequel Reveals Michael’s Side of Abuse Claims
Michael Jackson Biopic Sequel: What We Know So Far
Who Is Playing Michael Jackson?
Jaafar Jackson — Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew — will play the King of Pop again in the upcoming sequel.
- Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson (Michael’s older brother)
- He played Michael in the first Michael biopic
- The sequel is being made by Lionsgate movie studio and Michael Jackson’s estate (the people who manage his legacy)
What Will the Sequel Be About?
The big difference: The second movie wants to show Michael’s side of the story.
Jaafar told GQ Middle East:
"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."
Key Points Jaafar Shared:
- The child abuse allegations against Michael are "someone else’s story" and "someone else’s idea of what it is"
- He believes those stories were "mainly driven by an agenda"
- The family’s biggest frustration: Michael’s own voice was never heard
- Jaafar hopes the sequel fixes that — especially for Michael’s later years
Callout: Important Context
The allegations against Michael Jackson started in the early 1990s. The first movie does not cover them at all — it ends in 1987 with the release of the "Bad" music video.
Why Did the First Movie Stop in 1987?
Director Antoine Fuqua originally filmed scenes about the allegations. But they were removed during editing.
The Reason:
The filmmakers wanted to focus on Michael’s journey to stardom — who he was before he became a global icon.
Jaafar explained:
"This first film focuses on Michael from his roots. So you get that idea of who he was before he had all the success… you understand who he was as a human being first."
What Kind of Person Was Michael, According to Jaafar?
Jaafar wants the sequel to show the Michael he knew — the one who never changed despite everything.
- Purity — He always looked for the good in people
- Kindness — He treated everyone well, no matter how he was treated
- Unbroken heart — Even when he was hurting, his heart "still stayed the same"
- Faith in humanity — He never stopped believing in people
Jaafar’s hope:
"I hope that this is felt in the second movie."
When Can We Expect the Sequel?
Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson gave a timeline in an interview with Deadline:
| Milestone | Target Window |
|---|---|
| Production start | Late 2026 or early 2027 |
That means filming hasn’t started yet — but the plan is in motion.
Summary
- Jaafar Jackson returns as Michael Jackson in a planned sequel
- The sequel aims to show Michael’s perspective on the 1990s allegations
- The first movie ends in 1987 — before the allegations began
- Scenes about the allegations were filmed but cut to focus on Michael’s rise
- Jaafar describes Michael as kind, pure, and unbroken despite hardship
- Filming could start late 2026 or early 2027
FAQ
1. Who is Jaafar Jackson?
Jaafar is Michael Jackson’s nephew — the son of Jermaine Jackson. He’s an actor and singer who played his uncle in the first Michael biopic.
2. Why didn’t the first movie cover the allegations?
The movie ends in 1987. The allegations started in the early 1990s. Director Antoine Fuqua chose to focus on Michael’s journey to becoming a star, not the controversies that came later.
3. Will the sequel definitely happen?
It’s in development with Lionsgate and the Jackson estate. Lionsgate has announced a target production window (late 2026/early 2027), but dates can shift in Hollywood.
4. What does "Michael’s estate" mean?
When someone famous passes away, their estate is the legal entity that manages their money, image, music rights, and legacy. The Jackson family works with the estate on projects like this.
5. What is Jaafar’s main goal for the sequel?
He wants audiences to hear Michael’s voice — his side of the story — especially about the allegations. He believes the public has only heard "someone else’s version" driven by "an agenda."