A man in a bright red jacket smiling broadly

...

Griff Griffin

By Griff Griffin

Contributing Pop Culture Writer

0

Share

Newsweek is a Trust Project member

See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.

The chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group has pushed back on criticism of Michael Jackson biopic “Michael.”

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Adam Fogelson addressed claims the film would gloss over the King of Pop's more controversial elements.

“The credibility that Antoine [Fuqua] and Graham [King] bring to a project like this shouldn’t be undervalued,” Fogelson says of the director and producer of “Michael.”

Read More on Movies

A man in a bright red jacket smiling broadly

...

“These are not water-carrying people. I don’t believe either of them would join a project that they didn’t believe was a valuable and authentic representation of whatever it is they were trying to tell.

“The point is to get some insight into who this person was, and the movie absolutely does justice to that — whatever you want to make of that, each individual person will have the opportunity to think for themselves.”

With the Jackson estate involved in the film, "Michael" is more of a celebration than an exploration. That has led to backlash from fans, who say it doesn't tell the whole story.

Fogelson defended the existence of the film itself, arguing that making it was culturally important.

“There are a few things that are inarguable," he said. "Michael Jackson is one of, if not the most, influential artists in human history. The idea that there can’t or shouldn’t be a biopic about him doesn’t seem particularly fair.”

Fogelson confirms further films are planned in order to expand the story. However, he's careful not to suggest sequels will explore Jackson's trickier subject matter.

“This first movie stops well short of telling the full story of Michael Jackson. There is a lot of amazing music in this catalog that this part of the story doesn’t get to. So we have said that there is room for another film, and I can tell you that the filmmaking team has been hard at work being ready for a second film, and when the right moment comes, we would be excited to announce that that is definitively happening."

'Michael' Release Date

"Michael" releases in cinemas and IMAX April 24, 2026.

'Michael' Cast

Jaafar Jackson stars as Michael Jackson in "Michael" alongside a cast that includes Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Juliano Krue Valdi and Nia Long. Here's the full cast:

View 0 Comments

Request Reprint & Licensing

Submit Correction

View Editorial & AI Guidelines