'Michael' eyes jaw-dropping debut at box office amid worst reviews

Days before Michael's release, a stunning report on the biopic raises the hype for the Jaafar Jackson-starrer.

It is about the film's expected box office on the opening weekend. According to Variety, exhibitors believe it will have a whopping $65 to $70 million debut and could blow past $80 million due to aggressive pre-sales and IMAX.

With this jaw-dropping expectation, a similar figure is said to have raked in another $80 million in overseas markets, which, if it happens, will push the box office past $150 million.

Given the mouth-watering potential, Michael's budget had ballooned to over $155 million after several reshoots of scenes from Jackson's 1993 case, which forced a year-long production delay.

The report comes after a string of reviews blasted the King of Pop's biopic; however, Jackson's performance remained out of critics' scathing attacks.

For example, the review in USA Today stated, "Jaafar may share his late uncle's megawatt smile, lithe frame and Bambi eyelashes. But his liquid dance moves – highlighted as he teaches gang members the footwork in the 'Beat It' video – and soft-spoken cadence are studied to perfection. This is not about nepotism."

Similarly, Deadline penned, "Jaafar's casting might have seemed a bit too all in the family, but the fact that he doesn't do his own singing didn't bother me."

"Because this guy channels Uncle Michael in uncanny ways and simply sells this performance with all the right dance moves and sharp dramatic talent to make us believe Michael Jackson is once again with us."

Michael debuts in theatres on April 24.