The record-breaking success of MICHAEL has already prompted talk of a sequel, which is virtually unprecedented for movies focused on the biography of an individual character. MICHAEL’s $97 million opening weekend was the highest debut ever for a musical biopic, blowing past the previous record holder STRAIGHT OUT OF COMPTON. In fact, its opening box office was more akin to that of a big-budget superhero or action flick. Original movies performing at that level are almost always elevated to the status of Intellectual Property (“IP”) and result in a sequel being planned. Is it even conceivable that a franchise could be created out of the Michael Jackson universe?
But while there have been many successful musical biopics, there are few examples of a sequel to a biopic. IndieWire covered the few examples of biopic sequels, with most of them having been released in the 2020’s. As Hollywood searches for IP to replace the declining superhero and comic book franchises, making films centered on well-known public figures could emerge as a new approach to generate reliable grosses. In an interview this week with Puck’s Matt Belloni, Lionsgate head Adam Fogelson all but confirmed that a sequel will go into production, sailing into in uncharted waters in an attempt to capitalize on MICHAEL’s success.
