Michael Jackson Biopic Opens With $96 Million
Filmmaker Spike Lee praised Lionsgate's Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' in a CNN interview, defending its timeline against critics. The film grossed $96 million in its opening weekend, surpassing previous musical biopics. Separate reports covered a new casino's debut in New York City and reactions to gunshots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
hollywoodreporter.comThe biopic ends in 1988, before the first accusation against Jackson in 1993, Lee said. "First of all, if you’re a movie critic, and you’re complaining about the stuff— all this other stuff— but the movie ends at ‘88.
The stuff you’re talking about, accusations, happen [later]. So you’re critiquing the film on something that you want in, but it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film. But people showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love," Lee stated.
The film earned $96 million in its opening weekend, more than any other musical biopic upon opening. m.
PT. In New York City, Resorts World became the first-ever casino in the city when it opened two days before journalist Will Rahn's visit on Thursday. Rahn visited the facility, located near JFK Airport.
The casino's arrival followed efforts during Andrew Cuomo's time as governor of New York. Gunshots rang out at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner last weekend. Former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, seated at a table during the incident, asked his tablemate if he was going to finish his salad.
Blankfein later met journalist Suzy Weiss for coffee and discussed the event. A 31-year-old computer science graduate allegedly attempted to assassinate the president of the United States last Saturday. The Free Press article covering these topics was published on May 2, 2026.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- May 3, 2026
Variety publishes article on Spike Lee's defense of 'Michael' biopic.
1 sourceVariety - Thursday (recent)
Will Rahn visits Resorts World New York City two days after its opening.
1 sourceThe Free Press - Last weekend
Gunshots occur at White House Correspondents’ Dinner; Lloyd Blankfein reacts calmly.
2 sourcesThe Free Press · Suzy Weiss - Last Saturday
31-year-old computer science graduate allegedly attempts to assassinate U.S. president.
2 sourcesJacob Howland · The Free Press - May 2, 2026
The Free Press publishes article covering casino, dinner incident, and biopic.
1 sourceThe Free Press
Potential Impact
- 01
Blankfein's memoir provides insights into Goldman Sachs leadership from 2002 review.
- 02
Strong box office for 'Michael' biopic indicates public interest despite criticism over omissions.
- 03
Opening of Resorts World may affect local neighborhood near JFK Airport and New Yorkers' finances.
- 04
Assassination attempt highlights security concerns at public events like the Correspondents’ Dinner.
- 05
Lee's defense may influence perceptions of the biopic's timeline choices ending in 1988.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
The GuardianWHO Chief Visits DRC as Ebola Death Rate Reaches 30-50%
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support containment of a new Ebola outbreak. The agency revised the death rate to 30-50% based on confirmed cases and recorded 10 confirmed and 223 suspected d…
westernjournal.comGreek National Charged in UK With Aiding Iran-Linked Intelligence Service
A 46-year-old Greek man living in Germany was charged under the UK National Security Act with assisting an intelligence service believed to be Iran by targeting a journalist at Iran International.
physicianonfire.comBilt Rewards reports $1 billion revenue target for 2026
Bilt Rewards CEO Ankur Jain said the company's flagship credit card accounts for less than 11 percent of revenue. The firm now processes more than $100 billion in annual housing spend across one in four U.S. apartment buildings.