1. What happened?

The biopic about Michael Jackson titled Michael, expected to be released in 2025, is currently under criticism for ignoring allegations about the King of Pop’s dark past.

Filmmaker Dan Reed, director of the documentary Leaving Neverland, said that Michael was “whitewashing” the late singer’s life. Leaving Neverland, released in 2019, revealed important evidence about Michael Jackson’s pedophilia accusations.

2. Why is the movie Michael noteworthy?

Michael is not the first work to adapt the life of Michael Jackson. In early 2022, the musical MJ: The Musical had its “debut” on Broadway.

However, Michael is promoted as the most authoritative biographical version of Michael Jackson’s life. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer) and written by John Logan, a three-time Oscar nominee for Hugo, The Aviator and The Gladiator.

Every press release for the film promises Michael is a “truthful portrait” of the King of Pop, recreating MJ’s entire memorable career from the time of the Jackson 5 group until his death. The film has the participation of the Jackson family as producers, and Jaafar Jackson – Michael’s nephew – will play the late singer.

3. What are the allegations regarding Michael Jackson?

Michael will not mention the allegations about the late singer using his fame to lure many minors into sexual acts.

The first allegation occurred in 1993, when a Los Angeles screenwriter claimed that his 13-year-old son had been sexually abused by Michael Jackson. A series of subsequent accusations, both of pedophilia and drug administration to minors, led to a trial in 2005.