Will Antoine Fuqua's 'Michael' Break Box Office Records This Weekend?
Anticipation Builds for 'Michael'
Antoine Fuqua's eagerly awaited film, 'Michael,' featuring Jaafar Jackson, is set to premiere in theaters this Friday. Early industry forecasts indicate that it could achieve the highest opening weekend ever for a music biopic, potentially outpacing the previous records set by 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' This Lionsgate project is expected to transform the landscape for domestic music biopic debuts, with optimistic expectations for its international performance as well.
However, despite the buzz surrounding its release, 'Michael' has received a lukewarm response from critics, currently holding a 34% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 95 reviews. While Jaafar Jackson's performance as the legendary musician has been praised, critics have raised concerns about the film's storyline. Nonetheless, the film has created considerable excitement and is projected to perform strongly at the box office, even amid mixed reviews.
Initial estimates suggested that 'Michael' would earn between $50 million and $60 million during its opening weekend. Those projections have now been adjusted upward, with current estimates indicating a domestic box office take of $65 million to $70 million. On the international stage, the film is anticipated to generate between $75 million and $80 million, potentially bringing its total global earnings to around $150 million.
If these estimates prove accurate, 'Michael' will surpass the opening weekend earnings of 'Straight Outta Compton,' which made $60.2 million, and 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' which earned $51 million. This would set a new record for the largest debut weekend for a music biopic in North America. However, it may not exceed the opening weekend figures of 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,' which currently holds the title for the biggest opening of the year.
The film explores the formative years of Michael Jackson's career, highlighting his time with the Jackson 5 and the onset of his solo journey. It features several of his classic hits, such as 'Beat It,' 'Thriller,' and 'Billie Jean.' Jaafar Jackson's performance of 'Beat It' has already attracted significant attention and acclaim, further heightening the anticipation among fans eager to witness the biopic of the iconic artist on the big screen. 'Michael' is set to release on April 24.