The biopic about the King of Pop has returned to the top spot at the North American box office with $26.1 million this weekend. After four weeks, the film has grossed $703.8 million globally and is already the highest-grossing musical biopic in the U.S., surpassing Bohemian Rhapsody. Queen still holds the world record with $911 million, though Michael seems ready to dance all over it. 🎬
The Technical Engine Behind the Michael Phenomenon 🎥
The success of Michael is not only due to its lead actor. The production employed motion capture and CGI techniques to recreate iconic performances of the singer, combining archival footage with digital animation. The visual effects team worked for two years to synchronize original choreographies with 3D models, achieving realistic transitions between the actor and Jackson's images. Additionally, an Atmos surround sound system was used to remaster classic songs, adapting the mixes for IMAX and Dolby Cinema theaters.
The Box Office Thriller: When the King of Pop Defeats Freddie 🎤
While Michael is rubbing his hands together with his $703 million, Bohemian Rhapsody must be humming We Are the Champions with a bit of anxiety. At this rate, Jackson's biopic could leave Queen with the title song, but without the record. The curious thing is that both share something: neither Freddie nor Michael are alive to collect image rights, though their lawyers are surely already rehearsing the moonwalk to the bank.