NEW YORK (AP) – The highly anticipated biopic "Michael," centered on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, has made a sensational entry into theaters, raking in $97 million across the U.S. and Canada. This debut has shattered previous records for music biopics, surpassing notable films like "Straight Outta Compton" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," which had openings of $60.2 million and $51 million, respectively.
The film, co-produced by the Jackson estate and Lionsgate, also enjoyed significant international success, accumulating $120.4 million outside North America. This brought its total global opening to an impressive $217.4 million, setting a new benchmark for the genre. Initial projections for "Michael" were much lower, indicating an opening closer to $50 million, then later adjusted to about $70 million. The film’s actual performance has greatly exceeded these expectations.
Adam Fogelson, the chairman of Lionsgate, remarked that there were strong indicators of potential success early on. The studio noticed substantial engagement from diverse audience segments, which likely contributed to the film's immense popularity.
Despite its box office triumph, "Michael" has faced scrutiny due to Michael Jackson's controversial legacy, which includes allegations of child sexual abuse that have plagued his reputation since his passing in 2009. While Jackson maintained his innocence, the film navigated these sensitive issues cautiously. Some Jackson family members, including Janet Jackson and his daughter Paris, expressed disapproval or were not involved in the project.
The film’s production was riddled with challenges. After filming was completed, producers discovered a costly error pertaining to the portrayal of allegations from Jordan Chandler, a pivotal figure in Jackson's past. Chandler received a $23 million settlement from Jackson in 1994, which included terms that forbade any mention of him in media productions involving Jackson. This led to extensive reshoots and rewriting of the film's narrative, shifting its focus away from such controversies and concluding the story in 1988, prior to the emergence of allegations against Jackson.
Fogelson noted that, although the production faced significant hurdles, it allowed for a broader narrative exploration around Jackson's life. Despite a challenging production history, "Michael" has emerged as a box office juggernaut. The film's total production cost approached $200 million, and to mitigate expenses, Lionsgate sold the international distribution rights to Universal. The studio has indicated that a sequel is already in development, with a third film considered a possibility.
Critically, "Michael" has garnered mixed reviews. It holds a low rating of 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating critical skepticism regarding its narrative choices and handling of Jackson's controversial life. In contrast, general audiences have responded positively, resulting in an "A-" CinemaScore rating. This significant divergence between critic and audience reception underscores the film's appeal, particularly among fans of Jackson and biographical films.
As the movie shines in box office revenue, it has contributed to a robust spring for Hollywood, alongside other major hits like Amazon MGM's "Project Hail Mary" and Universal's "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." The latter, having dominated the box office for three consecutive weeks, fell to second place, collecting $21.2 million in its latest weekend, with a cumulative total of $386.5 million domestically. Meanwhile, "Project Hail Mary" has surpassed $600 million worldwide, demonstrating strong performance as well.
As the film landscape becomes increasingly competitive, "Michael," with its impressive opening weekend, stands as a testament to the enduring interest in Michael Jackson's complex legacy. The film's financial success suggests that audiences are keen to engage with biographical narratives that explore both the triumphs and tribulations of iconic figures.
