Michael becomes first biopic to make $1 billion at the box office

Michael has become the first biopic to take in $1 billion at the box office. The movie, which follows the early life of Michael Jackson and stars his nephew Jaafar Jackson, already debuted to the largest-ever opening weekend for a biopic and later surpassed Oppenheimer as the highest-grossing biopic ever made. 

Director Antoine Fuqua called the latest milestone “a deeply humbling moment that celebrates the tireless dedication of our incredible producers, cast, crew, and partners. This achievement belongs to everyone who came together with a shared vision to honor one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.” In May, an official sequel was confirmed by Lionsgate, the studio that produced Michael, though they confirmed that it would not necessarily be chronological, and could “go forwards and backwards in telling this story.”

Despite its box office performance, Michael garnered a lukewarm reception from critics and was criticized for glossing over the allegations of child sexual abuse that were made against Jackson. Though the screenplay for the film initially addressed them, reshoots took place due to a clause in a settlement Jackson’s estate had with Jordan Chandler, who accused the singer of sexually abusing him at the age of 13 in 1993. The clause explicitly forbade Chandler being depicted in any future film about Jackson’s life. As a result, the movie concluded with Jackson performing at Wembley Stadium. 

Last month, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who made allegations of abuse by Jackson in Dan Reed’s 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, were given a confirmed trial date for 2028 for their case against Jackson’s companies. Safechuck and Robson allege that Jackson’s companies helped to enable and conceal his abuse.

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