The Rise of the New Michael Jackson Film
The new film about Michael Jackson, titled Michael, is making waves in the entertainment industry. It is now on track to surpass Bohemian Rhapsody as the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time, with its global box office earnings approaching the $800 million mark. According to Variety, the film has officially earned $788,047,189 worldwide after generating $28.5 million internationally over the weekend.
This successful yet controversial film follows Jackson’s journey from his early days as a member of the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to his rise as a solo artist. However, it has not been without its challenges. The film was released in the U.S. on April 24 but has yet to open in Japan, a key market that could help it surpass the box office total of Bohemian Rhapsody. The Queen biopic achieved a total of $911 million internationally, and Michael is now within reach of that number, depending on its performance in Japan.
A Controversial Production
The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, who portrays the King of Pop. Despite breaking box office records, the production has faced significant criticism for omitting any mention of the allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson. This decision was made due to a major legal issue involving a settlement from 1994 with the family of Jordie Chandler, a boy who accused Jackson of molesting him. Under the terms of the deal, Chandler cannot be portrayed or even mentioned in a movie.
Other accusers, such as Gavin Arvizo, have also come forward, with their claims being central to the court case that led to Jackson’s 2005 acquittal. Additionally, Wade Robson and James Safechuck were featured in the documentary Leaving Neverland, which was later removed from HBO Max following a settlement with the Jackson estate. The documentary’s removal was due to a lawsuit from the Jackson estate, which claimed that the film violated a non-disparagement clause from a 1992 contract.
Legal Challenges and New Allegations
Amid the publicity surrounding the new film, four members of the Cascio family, who were close to Jackson for many years, have filed a lawsuit alleging that he sexually abused them as children. These new allegations add another layer of complexity to the film’s reception.
Despite these controversies, the movie has performed exceptionally well at the box office. The film’s ending hinted at a potential sequel, and a studio executive recently revealed that up to 30 percent of a second film may have already been filmed.
Plans for a Sequel
Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson has expressed excitement about the progress of a second Michael film. He stated, “We are really excited about the progress we’re making with respect to a second Michael film,” according to Variety. Fogelson noted that some of the footage shot for the first movie that was cut from the final version may be used in the upcoming follow-up.
“We think we’ve got 25 to 30% of a second movie already shot from the prior production activity,” Fogelson explained. “And so obviously that will have some [financial] benefit ultimately, but we’re going to make sure we make a big and satisfying movie for a global audience once again.”
While Fogelson did not directly address the molestation claims Jackson faced, he hinted at unspecified events in Jackson’s life that might be included in the next film. “I would say that there is a ton of incredibly entertaining Michael Jackson story, and much of the biggest and most popular parts of his music catalog that were not touched upon in the first film,” he remarked.
Expanding the Story
Fogelson added that the film could explore different periods of Jackson’s life, rather than presenting his story in a strictly chronological order. “All the conversations that we’ve been having with all of the appropriate parties continue to go exceptionally well,” he said. He emphasized that the film would appeal to a global audience by bringing together various pieces of Jackson’s legacy.
Jackson passed away at the age of 50 in 2009 due to a cardiac arrest caused by an overdose of the powerful anesthetic Propofol, which he used as a sleep aid.
