Michael was projected to spend $120 million in California on crew wages and vendors.
The projection came from the California Film Commission and reflected the scale of the production’s planned local economic activity. The film was expected to use substantial California-based labor and vendors while recreating several decades of Michael Jackson’s life and career.
This figure is not the same as the movie’s final reported production budget. Michael’s budget was later listed in a range of $155 million to $200 million after production changes and reshoots. The $120 million figure concerns projected California spending on wages and vendors, so it should not be used as the answer to a question about the total cost of making the film.