| UNIVERSAL'S MOVE TO PICK UP INTERNATIONAL FROM LIONSGATE IS FEELING LIKE A GOOD DEAL |
When it comes to Michael, whether it’s at Century City AMC or in Brazil, the UK, France, Spain, Mexico, etc., they’re moonwalking to theaters. Already, international rightsholder Universal is seeing repeat business for the Lionsgate pic, which has fueled $120.3 million offshore for a global debut of $217.4M.
Michael is easily the second-best opening YTD after Universal’s Super Mario Galaxy Movie and in like-for-like markets. At today’s currency rates, the Jaafar Jackson-starring movie stands as the biggest opening weekend ever for a musical biopic, both including and excluding previews and the China market.
That international opening of $120.3M in 82 territories and 23,459 locations outstrips the offshore start of Bohemian Rhapsody ($79.9M, including previews in like-for-likes). It places Michael way ahead of Wicked: For Good ($75M including previews) and Wicked ($65M including previews). Not only is Michael the best opening for a musical biopic in several markets, but it’s also the best offshore opening in some countries for a biopic. >>>Universal's Cost
Related:
‘Michael’ Director Antoine Fuqua On A Convo He Had With Michael Jackson, Reshoots, The Sequel & Choices Made About Pop Icon’s Controversies
More Molestation & Sexual Abuse Claims Against Michael Jackson Revealed |
Deadline Exclusives & Originals |
Inside The WHCD Ballroom - The catering staff at the Washington Hilton were just about to serve the main course — prime Chateaubriand and Maine lobster — when four loud, quick shots could be heard. Sitting at a table near the cavernous ballroom’s main entrance doors, I at first thought the noise was of a giant clash of dishes. But within a second or two someone shouted, “Get down!” >>> Ted Johnson's Report
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SAG-AFTRA & AMPTP Resume Talks - After pausing negotiations to make way for the WGA in March, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will resume talks on Monday morning as planned. The two parties are aiming to get a tentative deal done before the DGA steps up to bat on May 11. Both guild and union sources tell Deadline they’re not far off from a deal. >>>Key Issues To Be Resolved
New Late-Night Chapter - More change is coming to the late-night landscape, as comedian Ben Gleib is preparing to launch Good Night with Ben Gleib, the first-ever late-night talk show made exclusively for YouTube, on May 28. The debut is the first for an independently owned late-night talk show franchise. >>> Guests, Producers & Full Details
Cannes Market Hot Project: Park Chan-Wook's 'Brigands' - Park Chan-Wook is assembling an A-list cast for his Western The Brigands of Rattlecreek, with Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey, Oscar nominee Austin Butler, four-time Emmy nominee Pedro Pascal and Chinese star Tang Wei (Decision to Leave) all aboard for the ride. >>> Passion Project
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Jason Statham & David Ayer Reteaming On Zak Penn-Scripted Action-Thriller ‘John Doe’; Miramax & Black Bear Launch For Cannes Market
Helena Exits The Riviera - Helena Bonham Carter has departed the upcoming France-set installment of The White Lotus just after cameras rolled. "It had become apparent that the character which Mike White created for Helena Bonham Carter did not align once on set,” an HBO spokesperson told Deadline. >>>Rethought, Rewritten & Recast
Chicago Shake-up - Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman is leaving the NBC drama, replaced by Victor Teran. Newman joined Chicago Fire after the pilot as co-executive producer and worked her way up to showrunner three years ago. >>>Changing Of The Guard |
Noah Hawley is hoping that Alien: Earth has found its forever home at the UK’s Pinewood Studios. As the the FX sci-fi show nears start of production on its second run, the writer, director and showrunner revealed he wants it to return for multiple seasons – and has the same ambitions for his upcoming Far Cry TV series.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline ahead of his appearance at Canneseries, where he was Guest of Honor, Hawley provided updates on the future of Fargo and Alien: Earth, along with production plans for Far Cry later this year, and addressed the evolution of his long-standing relationship with FX and Disney.
>>>Q&A |
BY THE NUMBERS
35%
- Single-day jump in iHeartMedia's stock price after reports it is in merger talks with SiriusXM. Shares rose another 10% in today's early trading
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MORE NEWS
🤠 Chad Feehan, creator, executive producer and showruner of Dutton Ranch, is leaving the Yellowstone offshoot starring Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser ahead of its series premiere.
🔥 Ford v. Ferrari scribe and The Agency and MobLand series EP, Jez Butterworth, has closed an overall five-year deal with Universal Entertainment across TV, streaming and film.
🎬 Michael B. Jordan is out to the town with Battlefield, a feature adaptation of the Electronic Arts video game that has Christopher McQuarrie attached to write, direct and produce, Deadline can confirm. |
| OBITUARIES
🕯️ Nedra Talley Ross, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and the last surviving member of the ’60s-era pop group The Ronettes has died, according to a post on the group’s Facebook page. She was 80. 🕯️ 2026 Deaths Photo Gallery
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| ON THE RADAR
Mon - Deadline Studio @ Disney/Actor's Side+; Film at Lincoln Center gala honoring George Clooney; Oz Pearlman on Kimmel
Wed - Alphabet, Meta & Amazon earnings; AMC Global Media upfront
Thu - Apple earnings
Fri - Deadline Reality TV Summit
Sat - Olivia Rodrigo hosts SNL
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True Contenders - Stephen Kay, Andy García, Billy Bob Thornton and Sam Elliott in the 2026 Deadline Contenders Television portrait studio. |
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