Vetted by NeuralPress's Multi-Agent Verifier for strict factual validity and event relevance. Our compliance engine cross-checks and filters search results to ensure zero false correlations or misleading content.
Primary Sources
Lionsgate Boss on 'Michael' Drama, 'Rambo' Prequel, and 'John Wick 5 ...
Adam Fogelson, Jaafar Jackson in "Michael." Getty/Lionsgate 2026-04-24T14:05:01.292Z Lionsgate head of movies Adam Fogelson explained why he'd support a "Michael" sequel. He also gave updates on "The Housemaid" and "War Machine" sequels. Fogelson said it also might be a while before you see a fifth "John Wick" movie. When Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson got word that the ending of "Michael," the studio's Michael Jackson biopic, needed to be completely reshot, he didn't bemoan it as a massive headache. He saw it as a business opportunity. The studio's long-gestating big-screen telling of the King of Pop's life is out now, but not as the filmmakers originally intended. Directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") and starring Jackson's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, the movie initially told the full story of the music icon's rise and fall.But then Fogelson got that call. "Michael," which was made with the support of Jackson's estate, had initially depicted the 1993 police raid of Jackson's Neverland Ranch following allegations of sexual abuse by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. The filmmakers discovered after shooting that there was a clause in Chandler's settlement barring any depiction of his case in a movie. According to Variety, reshoots cost the Jackson estate around $15 million. The film no longer touches on any of Jackson's child sexual-abuse allegations.Jackson and his estate have consistently denied the allegations. Jackson was acquitted on all counts in a 2005 criminal trial involving sexual-abuse allegations from another child, Gavin Arvizo. Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in "Michael." Lionsgate Like many Hollywood executives I've met, Fogelson is cool, calm, and collected; he often gives a look that suggests he's five steps ahead of you. But unlike his contemporaries, he also will give it to you straight. He admitted he was always skeptical about making "Michael" one long stand-alone movie. Now, because of the reshoot snafu, he sees an opportunity to delve even deeper into the polarizing legend with a sequel that will get more bites of the apple at the box office."Look, there's at least one more movie," Fogelson told Business Insider during CinemaCon of a potential Michael Jackson movie franchise."Just speaking less as an employee of Lionsgate and more as a person who has spent a lot of time in the movie business, I was always excited by the possibility that you could make a more complete and satisfy...
"Stranger Things" and "Thunderbolts" Star to Appear in Rambo Prequel
The cast of the Rambo prequel has added another major name. Stranger Things star David Harbour will play Major Trautman, the commanding officer and mentor of the main character. In the original 1980s trilogy, the role was played by Richard Crenna.The prequel, currently titled John Rambo, will tell the story leading up to Rambo: First Blood (1982) starring Sylvester Stallone. The plot centers on young Rambo’s time in the Vietnam War, focusing on his first mission with the Green Berets and how the conflict shaped one of the most iconic action heroes in modern cinema. The film is directed by Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander, best known for the action movie Sisu. According to him, this will be “a return to the roots. We will show Rambo as he has never been seen before — young, real, and vulnerable. It is a story of survival, resilience, and lost innocence.”The lead role is played by Noah Centineo, known for the series The Recruit. Sylvester Stallone will not appear on screen, but will serve as an executive producer. In addition to David Harbour and Noah Centineo, the cast also includes Yao, Jason Tobin, Quincy Isaiah, Jefferson White, and Taim Thapthimthong.Filming took place in Thailand and was fully completed back in March of this year. The project is now in post-production. The film is being produced by Lionsgate together with Millennium Media, Templeton Media, and AGBO, the studio of the Russo brothers, who are also serving as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.An official release date for John Rambo has not yet been announced. Given the current post-production status, the premiere is expected no earlier than late 2026 or the first half of 2027.Isn’t it time for Hollywood to focus on original projects instead of endlessly making prequels, remakes, and sequels? -1
Lionsgate issues response to fan backlash over Michael Jackson movie
"Michael," starring Jaafar Jackson, is on track for an April 24 release in cinemas and IMAX amidst brewing controversy.
Lionsgate Issues Response to Fan Backlash Over Michael Jackson Movie
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.
