A new biographical film about late American pop star Michael Jackson has set a record for the biggest opening weekend ever for a biopic, grossing about $217 million worldwide since its release.
The film, titled Michael, features Jaafar Jackson in the lead role and has outperformed previous biographical films including Bohemian Rhapsody and Oppenheimer in opening weekend earnings.
Distributed by Lionsgate, the film has received strong audience approval, although critical response has been mixed.
Data from Rotten Tomatoes shows a wide gap between critics’ and audience ratings.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the production focuses on Michael Jackson’s music career and performances, while also portraying his relationship with his father, Joseph Jackson, played by Colman Domingo.
The film reportedly underwent revisions during production due to legal constraints that affected certain narrative elements.
The film’s success reflects continued global interest in musical biopics, alongside recent releases about major artists such as Elton John and Bob Marley.
It is scheduled for release in Japan in June. (Blueprint)
