Who Will Direct ‘Michael: Part Two’ Instead Of Antoine Fuqua? Producer Graham King May Step In Despite its overwhelmingly negative reviews, Michael has become a box-office success, grossing $97 million domestically in its opening weekend and likely securing a strong performance in the following weekend. However, the film’s director, Antoine Fuqua, has confirmed he will not return to helm the sequel, leaving the question of who will take his place unanswered. According to industry insiders, producer Graham King may step into the director’s chair for Michael: Part Two, despite lacking formal directing credits. The decision is rooted in King’s deep involvement in the production of the original film, including overseeing reshoots and navigating the legal challenges that reshaped the project into a vastly different version than initially intended. His firsthand experience with the chaotic production of Michael—which faced significant budget overruns and creative disputes—positions him as a logical choice for the sequel. Fuqua’s absence is attributed to his commitment to another high-profile project: a Netflix epic centered on the ancient general Hannibal Barca, starring Denzel Washington. While Fuqua’s collaboration with Washington on Training Day remains a notable draw, his focus on this new venture has left him unable to return to the Michael franchise. However, his role in the sequel will remain as a producer, though the extent of his involvement in the creative process remains unclear. The original Michael film, which was planned as a three-hour biopic, ended abruptly in 1988, leaving the sequel to pick up where the theatrical release left off. Lionsgate has indicated it will proceed with its current shooting schedule, given the success of Fuqua’s film at the box office.#lionsgate #nia_long #graham_king #antoinne_fuqua #john_brance
Jaafar Jackson on Portraying Michael Jackson in Upcoming Biopic: 'I Wanted to Prove to Myself I Can Do This' Jaafar Jackson has shared insights into his experience of portraying the iconic Michael Jackson in the upcoming biopic, discussing the intense preparation and personal motivation behind the role. In a featurette titled "Becoming Michael," released by Universal Pictures UK, Jackson reflects on the challenges of embodying the King of Pop. He acknowledges the difficulty of the task, stating it was "not easy" but something he embraced as a challenge. Jackson emphasized his determination to prove to himself, his family, and the filmmakers that he could successfully take on the role. He described spending countless hours rehearsing, refining each movement until it felt perfect. At times, he practiced so intensely that his feet would bleed or go numb. He recounted moments of self-doubt, questioning whether to continue rehearsing or take a break, but ultimately pushed through by asking himself, "What would Michael do?" As the day of the performance approached, Jackson found himself in a reflective state, acknowledging the gravity of the moment. He described feeling a mix of awe and resolve, stating, "Wow. I'm really here. There's no going back. It's time to go out there and put on the best show ever." The featurette also highlights behind-the-scenes moments of Jackson practicing choreography on set, alongside interviews with director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King. The film, titled Michael, aims to provide fans with an in-depth look at the life and career of the legendary artist. The cast includes Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo.#michael_jackson #antoine_fuqua #jaafar_jackson #universal_pictures_uk #graham_king
