*Antoine Fuqua’s “Michael” has become one of the defining box office stories of the year, and its reach extends far beyond the markets that typically dominate industry headlines.
The film now holds the number one position in three African nations. South Africa leads the continent with $3,572,412, followed by Nigeria at $488,710 and Kenya at $376,300, MJ Vibe reports.
The outlet notes that movie theaters across Africa face conditions that make those numbers especially significant. Screen counts are low, ticketing infrastructure is still maturing in many regions, and audiences outside major metropolitan areas have limited access to cinemas at all. The figures “Michael” posted in these markets reflect genuine cultural impact.
Globally, the film has been historic by any measure. Its worldwide haul has climbed past $911.9 million since the April 24 opening, with $358.6 million earned domestically and $553.3 million abroad. “Bohemian Rhapsody” has been knocked from the top of the all-time music biopic chart.
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The milestones accumulated fast. No music biopic has ever posted a larger global opening weekend. “Michael” also holds the record as the top-earning domestic biopic of all time and bumped “La Vie en Rose” from its long-held position as France’s biggest biopic. Brazil’s annual chart currently belongs to the film as well, Russia is closing in on a $20 million threshold, and a strong finish in Japan could push the worldwide total past $1 billion.
Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle in the title role. Colman Domingo portrays Joseph Jackson, Nia Long plays Katherine Scruse-Jackson, Miles Teller takes on the role of attorney John Branca, and Mike Myers appears as record executive Walter Yetnikoff. The narrative follows the King of Pop’s ascent through 1988. Jackson died in 2009 at age 50, and Lionsgate is now developing a sequel covering his later years.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: ‘Michael’ Biopic Breaks Box Office Records Worldwide
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