Jackson’s box office triumph fuels sequel buzz – but controversy lingers
Michael, the biopic dominating box offices worldwide, has shattered records, prompting serious speculation about a potential franchise. The film, propelled by Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of the King of Pop, grossed a staggering $217 million globally, obliterating Oppenheimer’s previous record of $174 million.
A franchise gamble? studio executives eye expansion
According to a key studio executive, the unprecedented success – achieved despite accusations of whitewashing – could very well translate into a multi-film Jackson saga. Production reportedly cost a hefty $200 million, including $15 million dedicated to reshoots aimed at resolving a complex legal dispute surrounding allegations of child abuse.
The controversy beneath the beat
The film culminates in 1988, during the epic Bad tour, deliberately omitting the most damaging allegations against Jackson. Last week, Colman Domingo, portraying Joe Jackson, hinted at the possibility of a sequel delving into this shadowed chapter. The decision to excise this crucial element – reportedly necessitating $15 million in additional reshoots and a final resolution with accuser Jordan Chandler via a restrictive settlement clause – ultimately shaped the film’s narrative.
A carefully crafted narrative
Variety reports that a scene intended to depict police investigating Neverland Ranch in 1993, intended to explore the allegations directly, was ultimately scrapped. Graham King, producer, Antione Fuqua, director, and John Logan, writer, are currently weighing the potential to revisit these issues in a follow-up installment. Fogelson insists on an ‘authentic’ portrayal of Jackson, acknowledging the incomplete nature of the original narrative.
Beyond the tour: a potential future
Michael concludes with a vibrant scene from the Bad tour, conspicuously avoiding any mention of the controversy. Instead, the film focuses on Jackson’s musical genius and his strained relationship with his father. Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson suggests a future installment could explore Jackson’s subsequent downfall – a prospect contingent on King, Fuqua, and Logan’s decision. The potential for ‘Michael 2’ or ‘Michael 3,’ or even ‘Michael 4,’ remains tantalizing, though shrouded in creative uncertainty.
$217 million – That’s the global debut Michael achieved, a testament to Jackson’s enduring legacy. 1988 – The year the film ends, a deliberate choice that shielded the most sensitive aspects of Jackson’s life from the screen.