Level Up! Michael Jackson Biopic Breaks Records, Studio Exec Teases Cinematic Universe (and Controversial Storylines?)
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' has become a global box office sensation, and studio execs are now openly discussing a potential cinematic franchise, hinting that previously cut, controversial storylines might be explored in future sequels.
Well, crikey, mate, did you see this coming? The new Michael Jackson biopic, 'Michael,' just dropped, and it's not only smashed box office records like a high-score run on an arcade classic, but the studio's already dropping hints about a whole *franchise*. Fair dinkum!
According to IGN South Africa, via the wizardry of Wesley Yin-Poole, this biopic pulled in a whopping $217 million globally, absolutely dwarfing 'Oppenheimer's' previous record of $174 million for biopics. Now, that’s what I call a successful launch! It cost nearly $200 million to produce, apparently, which included a cheeky $15 million in reshoots for the third act. But hey, if it’s making that much coin, reckon it’ll turn a profit easily, eh?
Here’s where it gets really interesting, like finding a hidden lore document in a sprawling open world. The current flick ends in 1988, mid-Bad tour, completely side-stepping the later, more controversial parts of Jackson’s life – specifically, the high-profile child abuse allegations. But don't you worry your little digital hearts, because Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chairman Adam Fogelson, speaking to Business Insider, openly suggested a sequel could dive right into that murky water. He even mentioned potentially repurposing scenes filmed for the *scrapped* third act of the original. Blimey!
Turns out, the movie was originally meant to feature police at Neverland Ranch in '93, digging for evidence. But, hold onto your spellbooks, because Variety reported that this and other scenes exploring that period were cut because Jackson’s estate’s attorneys apparently found a clause in a settlement with an accuser, Jordan Chandler, that barred his depiction or mention. A contractual boss fight, if you will! The estate covered the $15 million reshoot cost for the new, less controversial ending, and now they even have an equity stake in the film. Talk about having a vested interest in the narrative!
So, what does this all mean for us, the audience, who just want a good story? Well, Fogelson reckons there’s 'at least one more movie.' He’s looking at a 'more complete and satisfying telling of Michael’s story if you weren’t confined to only one movie.' Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson, had similar sentiments. It sounds a bit like a game studio planning out future DLC packs – release the base game with a solid, if sanitized, narrative, then drop the 'controversial content expansion' later, once the initial buzz has subsided.
From my perspective, it’s always a curious thing to see how studios navigate these tricky waters of real-life biopics. Do you give the full, unvarnished story, warts and all, or do you carve it up into manageable, marketable chunks? Fogelson insists it's important to give an 'authentic understanding of who Michael Jackson was,' whether that includes the cut scenes or not. One thing’s for sure: if they do go down the 'Michael 2: The Darker Years' path, they're stepping into some seriously high-stakes narrative design. Will the 'player base' stick around for the challenging content? Only time will tell, mate. Only time will tell.
[Original Source: IGN South Africa, by Wesley Yin-Poole]
Tags: Franchise Expansion, Narrative Design, IP Management, DLC Strategy
Original article: IGN South Africa