‘It’s important that Michael’s voice is heard’: Jaafar Jackson says second biopic of his uncle will cover sexual abuse allegations
Jaafar Jackson says a planned sequel to the biopic Michael will address the sexual abuse allegations against his uncle, though from Michael Jackson’s point of view. The first film drew persistent criticism for omitting the allegations, and its strong box-office performance has made a sequel likely.
A legal clause barred the first film from depicting one accuser, prompting the removal of a police-raid sequence and extensive reshoots; the story was also shortened. The film became the highest-grossing biopic of all time, overtaking Oppenheimer. Jackson was accused in 1993 and settled out of court the following year; he was acquitted of other charges in 2005. He died in 2009, aged 50.
- Jaafar Jackson says the sequel will address the allegations.
- He expects it to present his uncle’s perspective.
- The first biopic became the highest-grossing of all time.
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Michael Jackson was one of the world’s best-known pop stars. Over several decades, he released hit records and performed to large audiences; his nephew Jaafar Jackson plays him in the biographical film Michael.
Jackson faced allegations of sexually abusing children. He settled a civil case brought by one accuser in 1994, and was acquitted of criminal charges in 2005. He died in 2009, aged 50.
The first film’s account was limited by a legal clause preventing it from depicting one accuser, and scenes were removed or reshot. How a sequel presents the allegations matters because it will shape how audiences encounter a disputed and significant part of Jackson’s public history.