The Release of the Michael Jackson Biopic “Michael”
The highly anticipated biopic about the legendary pop icon, Michael Jackson, titled “Michael,” has recently hit the cinemas and made a significant impact at the box office. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film has managed to set a new record for the biggest biopic opening ever.
On its opening weekend, “Michael” grossed an impressive $217 million globally, with $97 million in North America and $120.4 million internationally. This achievement surpasses previous records held by other biopics such as 2023’s “Oppenheimer” ($82 million), 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton” ($60.2 million), and 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” ($51 million).
Cast and Crew
The film features Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine Jackson, in the role of the King of Pop. He was cast in January 2023. Other notable cast members include Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Coleman Domingo as Joe Jackson, and Miles Teller as attorney John Branca. Kat Graham plays Diana Ross, Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe, Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones, and Juliano Krue Valdi as a young Michael.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the script was written by John Logan, and the production is handled by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain.
The Story Behind the Film
According to the film’s synopsis, “Michael” tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. The film highlights both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, giving audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before.
Record-Breaking Hype
Before its release, “Michael” already made headlines with its trailer becoming the most-viewed trailer for any music biopic in history, garnering 116.2 million views globally in just 24 hours.
Despite the positive reception from audiences, who gave the film a 97 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, critics were not as impressed. Some felt that parts of Michael Jackson’s history were overlooked in the film’s content.
Audience Reaction
Social media has been abuzz with videos of cinemagoers attending screenings dressed as the “Billie Jean” singer and performing his songs. The film is now available in cinemas nationwide.
