Michael Jackson Biopic Filmmakers Got Extra $25M After Removing Abuse Allegations
The director and producer of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic reportedly received an extra $25 million after removing all sexual abuse allegations against the pop star from their film. The filmmakers had to make expensive script changes when Jackson's estate lawyers found legal issues with including certain accusers.
Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King reportedly got $25 million more than their original contract after scrubbing sexual abuse allegations from the Michael Jackson biopic called "Michael."
The expensive script changes became necessary when an attorney for Jackson's estate noticed a problem. Jackson's 1994 legal settlement with accuser Jordan Chandler included a clause that banned any mention of Chandler in films about the singer.
The final movie won't show investigators searching Jackson's properties or include any of the abuse allegations that Jackson repeatedly denied during his lifetime. At least one major script rewrite was required to remove these scenes.
Jackson's estate has worked closely with the filmmakers throughout the process. The estate wants to control how the King of Pop is remembered and portrayed in media.
The biopic focuses instead on Jackson's musical career and performances. This follows a pattern of Jackson-related projects that avoid the controversial allegations that surfaced in documentaries like "Leaving Neverland."
This shows how estates can control how celebrities are portrayed in movies long after they die. It also reveals the high cost of making changes to big-budget films and raises questions about whether audiences are getting the full story.
The Michael Jackson biopic is expected to be released in theaters, though no official date has been announced.
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