The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' has stormed the global box office, earning $97 million in North America and $217 million worldwide in its opening weekend. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring the singer's nephew Jaafar Jackson, has become the highest-grossing debut for a musical biopic, surpassing 'Straight Outta Compton' which earned $60 million in 2015. Lionsgate, the studio behind the film, is expected to commission at least one more film about Jackson's life.
Despite a production budget nearing $200 million and negative reviews, audiences have embraced the film, giving it an 'A-' rating on CinemaScore exit polls. The film faced significant behind-the-scenes challenges, including the removal of scenes depicting a 1993 child sexual abuse lawsuit due to a settlement clause barring depiction of the accuser. These revisions added tens of millions to the budget but resulted in a PG-13 film accessible to all ages.
Critics have criticised the film for presenting a sanitised portrayal of Jackson, ending before the molestation allegations. However, David A. Gross of FranchiseRe noted, 'The movie is playing as a feel good, nostalgic appreciation. Audiences are on their feet, singing and dancing.' The film's success mirrors that of 'Bohemian Rhapsody', which grossed $911 million globally by focusing on musical performances.
'Michael' leans heavily on recreations of iconic performances such as 'Billie Jean', 'Thriller' and 'Beat It', with Imax contributing $13.8 million in North America alone. Senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian commented, 'Movie theatres are perfect for music-centric films, with incredible sound systems offering up an experience that simply cannot be replicated at home.'
