Lionsgate Chief on ‘Michael’ Success and Ignoring Critics ‘Shouting at You That You’re Making a Horrible Mistake’

In a recent discussion at TheWrap's business conference TheGrill, Lionsgate's chairman Adam Fogelson reflected on the studio's impressive 12-month period. The highlight of this time was the release of "Michael," a biopic about the late Michael Jackson, which has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time and the first to gross over $1 billion worldwide.

This achievement came after a challenging production process that involved extensive reshoots to remove content related to one of Jackson's child sex abuse lawsuits, which was settled by the pop star's estate. Fogelson recalled the numerous critics who warned against the potential failure of such a project, but emphasized the importance of standing firm in one's convictions.

Fellow panelists AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron and Regal Cinemas CEO Eduardo Acuna echoed the sentiment that movie theaters have been a central part of American culture for over a century, and they expressed optimism about the recent rebound in box office numbers. Aron believed that the increase in the quantity and quality of films being released would drive customers back to theaters, while Acuna noted the growing enthusiasm for in-person movie experiences among younger audiences.

The conversation also touched on the Paramount-Warner merger, with Acuna expressing cautious optimism about the potential benefits of consolidation. Despite initial skepticism, Acuna acknowledged that the merger might prove to be a positive development for the industry, as long as the right checks and balances are in place.