Lionsgate
A movie about Michael Jackson’s life is set to hit theaters later this month. Don’t expect the film to tell the actual full story of MJ’s life, however.
According to reports, the original version of Michael — releasing on April 24 — was supposed to open in medias res (“in the midst of things”) in 1993, far after the meteoric ascendency of Michael Jackson’s career.
The Michael Jackson movie had to be entirely reworked to avoid addressing abuse allegations because of a settlement clause from 1993
The film was set to begin with Jackson staring in the mirror as police car lights flash behind him and investigators search Neverland Ranch, with much of the film’s third act written to depict the fallout of the child molestation allegations against him.
That entire ending was scrapped, however, due to a clause in the 1993 settlement with accuser Jordan Chandler that barred his depiction or mention in any film.
Michael was supposed to explore the impact of the allegations on Jackson’s life, with much of its third act devoted to the scandal. But that finale was scrapped, along with any mention of the child molestation accusations, according to sources with knowledge of the production. That’s after attorneys for the Jackson estate realized there was a clause in a settlement with one of the singer’s accusers, Jordan Chandler, that barred the depiction or mention of him in any movie.
After the late-stage discovery, filmmakers went back to the drawing board to come up with a new ending. The process was further delayed after the house of screenwriter John Logan was damaged in the Palisades fire. [via Variety]
Instead of addressing the thing that Jackson is most known for other than his music, the version of the film that will debut later this month ends with Jackson at his peak of his powers during the “Bad” tour, with the key dramatic tension now coming from his relationship with domineering father Joe Jackson.
In addition to MJ’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, Michael also stars Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo, and will be released in theaters on Friday, April 24. Check out the official trailer below.