The new Michael Jackson film is now on path to overtaking Bohemian Rhapsody as the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time as it approaches the $800 million mark at the global box office.
'Michael' has now officially earned $788,047,189 worldwide after bringing in $28.5 million internationally over the weekend, according to Variety.
The widely-successful yet controversial film, which follows Jackson's rise to fame before he faced allegations of sexually abusing children, was released in the U.S. on April 24 but has yet to open in Japan - a major market that may lead it to surpassing the box office total of Bohemian Rhapsody.
The Queen biopic became the most successful musical biopic of all time after it earned $911 million internationally, a number now within reach for Michael depending on how it performs in Japan.
The film stars the hitmaker's real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King Of Pop, and charts his life from being in the Jackson 5 in the Sixties to his early solo career.
Despite breaking box office records, it has faced major criticism over the producers' decision to cut out all of the abuse allegations due to a major legal issue.
The new Michael Jackson film is now on path to becoming the most successful musical biopic as it approaches the $800 million mark at the global box office
The film follows Jackson's rise to fame but has sparked controversy as it ends before he faced allegations of sexually abusing children; pictured 1983
Jackson reached a $20 million settlement in 1994 with the family of a boy called Jordie Chandler whose father accused Jackson of molesting his son.
Under the terms of the deal, Chandler cannot be portrayed or even mentioned in a movie.
Several other accusers have come forward, including Gavin Arvizo, whose claims were the focus of the court case that culminated in Jackson's 2005 acquittal.
Wade Robson and James Safechuck were the accusers profiled in Leaving Neverland, which has since been quietly withdrawn from HBO Max.
The documentary's removal was due to a settlement with the Jackson estate, which had sued HBO on the grounds that the two-part film violated the non-disparagement clause of a 1992 contract for a Michael Jackson concert special on the network.
Amid the explosion of publicity surrounding the new Michael biopic, four members of the Cascio family - who were famously close to the singer for many years - have now filed suit alleging he sexually abused them as children.
Despite the scandal, the movie has performed exceedingly well at the box office.
The end of 'Michael' hinted at a sequel, and a studio executive recently revealed that up to 30 percent of a second film may have already been filmed.
The movie has yet to open in Japan, which may propel the Michael film towards cinema history
Michael stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop
Lionsgate film chief Adam Fogelson has since trumpeted: 'We are really excited about the progress we’re making with respect to a second Michael film,' via Variety.
He noted that some of the footage that was shot for the first movie but hit the cutting room floor may be recycled for the forthcoming follow-up.
'We think we’ve got 25 to 30% of a second movie already shot from the prior production activity,' Fogelson informed the trade publication: 'and so obviously that will have some [financial] benefit ultimately, but we’re going to make sure we make a big and satisfying movie for a global audience once again.'
While the Lionsgate executive did not address the molestation claims Jackson faced directly, he instead hinted obliquely at unspecified 'events' in Jackson's life that might be featured in the next film.
'I would say that there is a ton of incredibly entertaining Michael Jackson story, and much of the biggest and most popular parts of his music catalog that were not touched upon in the first film,' he remarked.
A studio executive has since said that they have completed 30% of a Michael sequel; Jackson pictured 2002
'There are so many other events that happened, even in the time frame of the original movie that weren’t touched upon, so we’re very, very confident that we’ve got an incredibly entertaining movie that will appeal once again to a global audience as the pieces come together,' added Fogelson.
He noted that the film could 'go forwards and backwards in telling this story,' rather than presenting Jackson's life in chronological order.
'All the conversations that we’ve been having with all of the appropriate parties continue to go exceptionally well,' Fogelson maintained.
Jackson died at the age of 50 in 2009 from a cardiac arrest he suffered after having the powerful anesthetic Propofol administered as a sleep aid.