- Primary Subject: Michael
- Key Update: The film is facing significant backlash for omitting child sexual abuse allegations following mandatory multimillion-dollar reshoots.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: April 24, 2026
- Quick Answer: Critics argue the biopic sanitizes Jackson's legacy by ending in 1988, avoiding all abuse allegations due to legal restrictions involving past settlement clauses.
The Michael Jackson biopic Michael has just hit theaters on April 24, but it has already proven controversial due to the way it portrays the King of Pop’s legacy, as well as some production issues.
Led by the music icon’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, the movie follows the life of Michael, from his involvement in the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to his Bad tour in the 1980s.
So why is a movie meant to celebrate the life of one of the greatest entertainers in the world being marred by controversy? Read on to find out.
What is the Controversy Surrounding the Michael Jackson Biopic?
Premiering on April 10 in Berlin, Michael has already ignited backlash and received mixed reviews.
Critics claim the movie attempts to downplay the darkest aspects of Michael Jackson’s legacy, particularly the allegations that he was repeatedly accused of child sexual abuse in the final decades of his life.
While Jackson and his estate consistently denied the allegations, Michael does not address them at all. The film ends in 1988, just before the abuse allegations began to surface publicly in the 1990s.
However, this move did not surprise some critics–especially since the film was made in close partnership with Jackson’s estate.
In fact, Dan Reed, who directed the equally controversial documentary Leaving Neverland, which detailed the allegations against Jackson, had already criticized Michael when it was announced in 2023.
“This new Michael Jackson biopic will glorify a man who abused children,” he wrote in The Guardian.
For context, the documentary was previously removed from HBO Max after Jackson’s estate sued the network for $100 million, alleging that it had violated a 1992 non-disparagement clause tied to one of Jackson’s concert films.
What Happened to the Original Michael Jackson Biopic Script?
In March 2024, Puck reported that Michael was originally expected to feature the sexual abuse allegations made by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler, along with the subsequent police investigation in 1993.
The third act was reportedly intended to open with police arriving at Neverland during the investigation. However, the article noted that “the script then goes to great lengths to minimize and downplay the actual claims and eviscerate the Chandlers.”
Attorney John Branca was said to describe the allegations as “extortion” made by “greedy” parents.
Puck further claimed that the film appeared to portray Michael Jackson as innocent and “the actual victim here.”
This storyline ultimately did not make it into the final cut, as it was discovered during the editing stage that the Jackson estate was barred from including Chandler or his family in any film adaptation.
As a result, any reference to child abuse allegations was removed from Michael following extensive reshoots that reportedly cost around $40–$50 million.
Why Did Michael Undergo Reshoots?
According to Variety, the final third act of Michael was originally supposed to focus on the child abuse allegations. However, that did not happen.
The attorneys for Jackson’s estate later realized they were not permitted to depict Jordan Chandler due to a clause in a prior settlement.
As a result, extensive reshoots and edits were carried out, and the film ultimately ends with Jackson reaching the peak of his career, focusing heavily on his music and professional success.
The central tension instead comes from his father, Joe Jackson’s, domineering role. Despite the controversy, director Antoine Fuqua has questioned the allegations against Jackson.
“Sometimes people do some nasty things for some money,” he told The New Yorker.
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