Michael moonwalks to $217m opening weekend, shattering box office records for a biopic
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- The Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" launched with a record-breaking $97 million opening in North America and $217 million worldwide, surpassing previous biopic openings like "Oppenheimer" and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
- Despite negative critical reviews, with a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive at 97%, leading to box office success well beyond initial projections.
- The film faced production challenges, including cutting a major third act due to legal restrictions regarding the Jordan Chandler settlement, resulting in costly reshoots and a reworked storyline ending before 1988.
- Controversy surrounds the film due to Michael Jackson's disputed legacy, with some family members opposing the project and critics highlighting the film’s omission of darker aspects of his life.
- Lionsgate plans a sequel and possibly a third film, with director Antoine Fuqua expressing interest in continuing the series and potentially using previously cut footage for future installments.
