“Michael” actress Effie Spence has teased a potential sequel to the Michael Jackson biopic – and celebrated the movie’s star, Jaafar Jackson, for his “sublime” performance as his King of Pop uncle.
Spence portrays Liza Minnelli in the newly released musical drama.
“I think there’s definitely kind of talk for there being a second film,” the actress exclusively told Page Six. “There’s just so much to Michael Jackson’s life, and there’s so much controversy and there are so many layers that we could uncover.”
She added, “And talking about this story, I think that there’s definitely more space and time to tell more of his story, especially with things coming to light.”
“Michael” hit theaters on Friday and covers Michael’s life from his involvement in the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to his early solo albums “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad.”
The biopic also shines a light on the pop icon’s tense relationship with his dad, Joe Jackson, and Michael’s struggle to break free from his father’s influence. Colman Domingo stars as the Jackson patriarch.
But the film ends shortly after the release of “Bad” in 1987 and fails to address the shocking child sex abuse allegations made against Michael beginning in 1993.
Director Antoine Fuqua filmed nearly four hours of footage for his original cut of “Michael,” per Deadline.
However, Fuqua was reportedly forced to do “extensive reshoots” following a “fierce internal dispute” between Lionsgate and the Jackson estate over including the molestation allegations against Michael in the film.
As a result, Fuqua and the studio mulled releasing the biopic in two parts.
Lionsgate exec Adam Fogelson also addressed plans for a second film in November 2025, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“While we’re not yet ready to confirm plans for a second film, I can tell you that the creative team is hard at work making sure that we’re in a position to deliver more ‘Michael’ soon after we release the first film,” the Motion Picture Group chair reportedly said at the time.
Meanwhile, Jaafar said that a sequel to “Michael” is already “in early development” during a chat with Entertainment Tonight ahead of the biopic’s release.
“You can’t fit it all in one movie,” he said. “It’s impossible.”
As for Jaafar’s performance as his late uncle, Spence described the actor’s portrayal as both “sublime” and “insane.”
“I did get to share the screen with Jaafar, and he was sublime,” she told us. “At first, I didn’t know he was a relative and just was really wowed by his presence and his absolutely solid ability to transform.”
Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson, 71, welcomed Jaafar with his second wife, Alejandra Oaziaza, in 1996. Jaafar was 12 when Michael died in June 2009 at the age of 50.
“I feel like he very much disappeared [into the role],” Spence continued. “His focus was really inspiring. The way that he approached it felt like it was a deep honor for him.”
She added, “The way that he was able to embody his uncle was insane.”
Jaafar himself discussed his portrayal of the late “Billie Jean” hitmaker and what he wanted audiences to take away from “Michael” during an interview with Vogue published on April 11.
“I hope people walk out of that theater with a deeper understanding of who Michael was at the core,” he told the outlet.
“To experience a side of him they haven’t seen in this way,” Jaafar concluded. “I hope people leave dancing, singing, feeling inspired, while also wanting more.”
