New Michael Jackson Movie’s Rave Audience Reception Slammed By Major Director: “People Just Want To Forget”

by

Most people adore Michael, but one prominent director is questioning all the praise he’s receiving.

The new Michael Jackson biopic is a hit with audiences, earning a remarkable 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes and projected to gross around $100 million in the US and over $200 million worldwide during its opening weekend. However, the film has sparked considerable controversy, as many critics feel it sidesteps the serious allegations made against Jackson. These allegations gained renewed attention with the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, which featured Wade Robson and James Safechuck sharing their experiences of alleged sexual abuse by Jackson as children.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed explained why he thinks the documentary resonated with viewers, even considering the serious allegations against Michael Jackson and what the 2019 film revealed. He also responded to comments made by Michael director Antoine Fuqua, who suggested that some people are willing to do wrong for financial gain. You can find Reed’s full statements below.

It’s a bit hypocritical for Antoine Fuqua to criticize others for being motivated by money, considering everyone involved in this Michael Jackson movie seems to be profiting from it. It feels strange to tell Jackson’s story without addressing the serious allegations of child sexual abuse against him. Ultimately, the real money is going to Michael Jackson’s estate and the filmmakers. It’s important to remember that Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who appeared in Leaving Neverland, haven’t personally profited from their accusations. People often misunderstand that you only receive money from a lawsuit if you actually win, which means you’ve successfully proven your claims in court.

Regarding the reported $400 million demand from Robson and Safechuck, Reed explained that figure is inaccurate, stating it was likely inflated and that the two men haven’t financially benefited from the situation in a decade. He also admitted he hasn’t spoken to them about the biopic and doubts they’re pleased with it.

It’s honestly shocking to me, but after the Leaving Neverland documentary came out, Michael Jackson’s music actually increased in popularity! They even put on a Broadway show, MJ, and it’s been touring the country. To me, it just proves that a lot of people seem to separate the art from the artist – they’d rather enjoy his music and don’t want to deal with the really disturbing allegations against him. It’s frustrating, because it feels like the victims aren’t being prioritized.

Many people seem unconcerned by the allegations against Michael Jackson. While the claims in Leaving Neverland haven’t been effectively disputed, a lot of online content attempted to dismiss them, making it easier for fans to reconcile enjoying his music. It seems a lot of people prioritize his music and choose to ignore the accusations. Frankly, short of irrefutable evidence, it’s unlikely anything will change their minds. I’m not suggesting anyone stop listening to his music – I don’t believe in ‘canceling’ artists. But if you do enjoy his work, it’s important to acknowledge the allegations of child sexual abuse and consider how that impacts your enjoyment of it.

As a longtime fan, it’s really frustrating to see how the media handles Michael Jackson. It feels like some outlets are just trying to stay on the estate’s good side, because criticizing him always comes with a huge backlash from both the estate and hardcore fans. Plus, let’s be real, there’s a lot of money involved in anything connected to his music and image, and people want to be part of that success. It’s disappointing to see so many people brush aside the serious allegations against him and just treat the new movie as a fun, nostalgic experience. For me, being a talented performer doesn’t excuse the harm he caused – the accusations of child abuse are deeply disturbing and shouldn’t be ignored. He made choices, and those choices had devastating consequences for others. It’s easy for him to be excused because of his wealth and the powerful legal team the estate continues to employ, which still intimidates anyone who speaks out. It’s like people just want to forget the victims and enjoy the music, and it’s incredibly upsetting.

Many share Reed’s concerns about the film, highlighted by the stark difference between the 38% critic score and the 97% audience score. Critics often point out that the movie avoids directly addressing the serious allegations against Michael Jackson, even at the end. Originally, the film began with a scene depicting the 1993 police raid on Jackson’s Neverland Ranch following allegations of abuse. However, this scene was removed due to a legal agreement with the accuser, Jordan Chandler, which prohibits any depiction of the case in a film, leading to the need for additional filming.

The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic stars Jaafar Jackson, who is Michael’s nephew. Jaafar has expressed interest in playing the role again if a sequel were made, and producer Graham King has thought about potential storylines. While a sequel might need to address the allegations against Jackson, the important points raised by Reed would still need to be considered.

Read More

2026-04-26 17:14