Five Key Facts About the New "Michael" Biopic Ahead of Its Global Release
A family-supervised biopic titled "Michael" chronicles the early life and meteoric rise of Michael Jackson, though it refrains from addressing the most controversial aspects surrounding the singer. The film, which premieres this week in Spain and Latin America, aims to rival the success of "Bohemian Rhapsody" (2018), the genre's biggest hit.

Avoiding Controversy
The film spans from 1966 in Gary, Indiana, to 1988 during a London concert on the Bad World Tour. This timeframe allows the production to bypass the legal battles that began tarnishing the icon’s image in 1993, including sexual abuse allegations and the 2005 criminal trial in which the star was acquitted.

A Modified Script
According to the American trade magazine Variety, a third of the film was initially dedicated to the star's legal troubles. However, following production, lawyers for the Jackson estate realized a clause in a prior settlement prohibited any depiction or mention of certain accusers in a motion picture. As a result, the finale was entirely reworked to focus on Jackson's 1984 performance with the Jackson Five and his 1988 solo peak in London.

The Jackson Clan
A central theme is the family dynamic, particularly the role of patriarch Joseph Jackson and his treatment of his prodigy son. The film bears the family's direct imprint; Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, stars in the title role, while surviving siblings are credited as executive producers alongside estate executors John McClain and John Branca.

The Business Perspective
Lionsgate, the distributor, anticipates a global box office return of 700 million dollars against a 200-million-dollar budget. This would place "Michael" significantly ahead of most musical biopics. The King of Pop’s estate continues to generate hundreds of millions annually through ventures like Cirque du Soleil and Broadway musicals.

What Lies Ahead?
The movie concludes with a title card stating: "The story continues." Producer Graham King has hinted that a second installment is in development, which will reportedly focus on the albums Dangerous (1991) and Invincible (2001), as well as the construction of the famous Neverland Ranch.