Overview
- Studio estimates released Sunday show Michael opened to $97 million in the U.S. and Canada and $217.4 million worldwide, marking the biggest launch ever for a music biopic.
- Audiences responded strongly even as critics panned it, with an A- CinemaScore and a Rotten Tomatoes critics score in the high 30s reported across outlets.
- After filming wrapped, lawyers flagged a 1994 settlement that bars depicting accuser Jordan Chandler, which forced producers to cut a planned third act on 1990s allegations and rework the ending to an earlier period.
- The late changes led to weeks of estate-funded reshoots and pushed costs close to $200 million, and Lionsgate sold most international rights to Universal to help cover expenses.
- During opening weekend, members of the Cascio family filed a new lawsuit alleging abuse, and the Jackson estate’s attorney dismissed the case as a money grab.