Jaafar Jackson says Michael sequel will address abuse allegations
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Actor Jaafar Jackson has said the planned sequel to the "Michael" biopic will offer "even more insight" into the child sexual abuse allegations made against his uncle, Michael Jackson, this time from Michael's own perspective. Speaking to GQ Middle East, he argued that public accounts of the allegations have so far come only from accusers, and that the Jackson family has long felt Michael's voice was missing from the narrative, particularly regarding his later years.
The original film, directed by Antoine Fuqua for Lionsgate and the Jackson estate, ends in 1987 with the release of the "Bad" video and does not address the allegations, which first surfaced in the early 1990s; Fuqua has said abuse-related scenes were originally scripted but cut to keep the focus on Michael's rise to fame. Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle in both instalments, said the first film aimed to show who Michael was as a person before stardom, and that he hopes the sequel conveys his uncle's enduring kindness despite what he endured. Lionsgate's Adam Fogelson has said production on the sequel is targeted to begin towards the end of 2026 or in early 2027.
- Jaafar Jackson says "Michael" sequel will explore abuse claims from Michael's viewpoint
- First film ended in 1987, before allegations emerged, by design
- Sequel production targeted for late 2026 or early 2027
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Michael Jackson's death in 2009 didn't end questions over his legacy, particularly allegations that he sexually abused children, first made publicly in the early 1990s and revisited in later documentaries and lawsuits. He always denied the claims and was acquitted of related criminal charges in 2005. His family, including the estate that manages his affairs, has consistently pushed back against the allegations.
A film about his life, "Michael", was made with the backing of the Jackson estate and stars his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the lead role. That first film covers his career only up to 1987 and does not deal with the abuse claims, which is significant because the estate's close involvement means the story has been told with the family's cooperation and input.
A sequel is now planned to continue the story into the period when the allegations became public, and Jaafar Jackson has been speaking publicly about how it might handle that material. This matters because any dramatisation of the claims, especially one made with family involvement, is likely to be closely scrutinised for how it balances Michael Jackson's own perspective against the accounts given by his accusers.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Michael Jackson died without the opportunity to respond to allegations that emerged after his death, leaving the public narrative shaped entirely by accusers' accounts. Those supporting the sequel argue that fairness demands his perspective be included; the Jackson family has the right to tell his story, and audiences are capable of evaluating all viewpoints rather than accepting only one side as complete.
The case against
Critics contend that allowing the Jackson estate—which has powerful financial and reputational incentives to defend Michael—to produce the film itself creates a fundamental conflict of interest. The estate's control over how allegations are presented, combined with vast cinematic resources to shape the narrative, raises concerns that this represents rehabilitation rather than objective examination, particularly when compared to the detailed specificity of accusers' allegations.
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Originally published by Deadline as “Jaafar Jackson Says ‘Michael’ Sequel “Will Give Even More Insight” Into Child Abuse Allegations “From His Point Of View””.