Earlier this year, reports emerged that Lionsgate, following a string of seven consecutive box office flops, has set exceptionally high expectations for Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming Michael Jackson biopic. The studio is reportedly confident the film could reach the $1 billion mark at the box office upon its release early next year.
A Chinese press release has Universal/Lionsgate confirming that the film will be getting a huge marketing campaign with unprecedented promotion and investments as they expect a box office that exceeds the $2B mark worldwide. The press release goes on to describe MJ as the biggest foreign star in Chinese history.
Michael Jackson’s appeal in China is a cultural phenomenon. Among legends and symbols, the artist has been eternalized in statues and murals throughout the country, consolidating his image as the greatest foreign star of all time for the Chinese public. Today, there are more than nine monuments in honor of the “King of Pop” in Chinese cities, confirming the importance and dedication to him.
Currently, Lionsgate’s highest-grossing film is 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which earned $865 million globally. The studio is confident that Michael, produced for $155 million, will surpass the $1 billion mark.
Photo Credit: Keen Zhang
