Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in the film ‘Michael.’ (Lionsgate)
Michael Jackson had a lot of #1 hits throughout his career, so it seems fitting that a movie about his life has landed at #1 as well.
The biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role, moonwalked its way to #1 at the box office this weekend, debuting in the top spot with a haul of $97 million domestically, and $217 million globally, Box Office Mojo reports.
According to Variety, the domestic haul breaks the record for the best biopic debut. The previous record holder was the 2015 N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, which earned $60 million in its debut week.
Michael’s opening is also the second-best opening of the year, with only The Super Mario GalaxyMovie doing better, with its $131 million debut.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie slips to #2 this week with $21.2 million in earnings, followed by Project Hail Mary at #3 with $13.2 million. Lee Cronin’s The Mummy and The Drama round out the top five with $5.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
Besides Michael, the only other debuts to make it in the top 10 this weekend were Over Your Dead Body, starring Jason Segel and Samara Weaving, at #8 with $1.4 million, and the YoungBoy Never Broke Again documentary, American Youngboy, at #10 with $1.2 million.
Here are the top 10 films at the box office:
1. Michael — $97 million 2. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — $21.2 million 3. Project Hail Mary — $13.2 million 4. Lee Cronin’s The Mummy — $5.6 million 5. The Drama — $2.6 million 6. Hoppers — $1.9 million 7. You, Me & Tuscany — $1.5 million 8. Over Your Dead Body — $1.4 million 9. Mother Mary — $1.3 million 10. American Youngboy — $1.2 million
Robert Irwin hosts ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.’ (Disney/Maarten De Boer)
Robert Irwin is taking his ballroom experience to the next level.
The conservationist, zookeeper, and TV presenter is set to host a new Dancing with the Stars spinoff series called Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
At Hulu’s second annual Get Real House event in Beverly Hills, California, on April 22, Irwin was announced as the host for the highly anticipated new show, which will aim to find the next pro dancer for the next season of DWTS.
Irwin was crowned the season 34 winner of DWTS with his pro dance partner Witney Carson. The duo quickly became a fan-favorite pair as they lit up the dance floor each week on the reality competition show.
The new series will feature 12 “up-and-coming dancers who move into one house and compete in a grueling audition process, all vying for a coveted spot as a pro dancer on Season 35 of ‘Dancing with the Stars,'” Disney Entertainment Television Publicity said in a press release.
Three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his mom Shirley Ballas, dubbed “The Queen of Latin,” will serve as judges on the show.
Returning pros will also appear as rotating mentors/guest judges.
BBC will produce the new show, while Conrad Green will serve as showrunner and executive producer.
Hulu’s realityverse came together at the Get Real House on Wednesday to celebrate some of the platform’s beloved shows and talent.
In addition to the Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro reveal, the event gave fans a front-row seat to some of Hulu’s biggest announcements, exclusive first-looks and surprise moments.
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro will premiere July 13 at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT on ABC, with episodes available the next day on Hulu.
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