Antoine Fuqua's biographical film about Michael Jackson, titled "Michael," is projected to open with $70 million at the U.S. box office, which would be the largest opening ever for a music biopic. The film centers on the pop singer, who had 13 number-one singles, was inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

The final cut of the film ends in 1988 and does not cover Jackson's life after that year. The third act was scrapped because of a legal clause in the settlement with Jackson's first accuser, Jordan Chandler, that forbids depiction of his experience on screen. The original cut had included a reenactment of the 1993 police raid on Neverland Ranch, in which Jackson was strip-searched to verify the physical description provided by Chandler. The reshoots totaled $15 million.

The Jackson estate had approval over the use of Jackson's music in the film and veto power over its final cut. Janet Jackson, Rebbie Jackson and Randy Jackson declined to participate.

Multiple allegations of sexual abuse were made against Jackson during his lifetime, and he acknowledged sharing his bed with underage boys. Fuqua, according to him, maintains that Jackson is innocent of the sexual misconduct allegations. "Michael's too important a character for our culture to just walk away from," Fuqua said.

Reaction within Jackson's family has been divided. Taj Jackson, a nephew of the singer, defended the project in a post online. "Sorry media, u don't get to control the narrative anymore," he wrote. Paris Jackson, the singer's daughter, was critical of the film. "Panders to a very specific section of my dad's fandom that still lives in the fantasy," she said.