Rolling Stone: Michael biopic omits sexual abuse allegations

musicApr 27, 202618354

Rolling Stone reports that the Michael biopic removed an early storyline about allegations made by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Filmmakers pulled the material after concluding it would violate terms of a legal agreement tied to the Chandler case. The theatrical cut instead centers on Michael Jackson's music, performances, and career milestones and leaves those abuse allegations out of the film's narrative. That omission means audiences seeing Jackson through Michael will not encounter the Chandler accusations onscreen, shaping how the film frames his legacy.

Drew Magary

@drewmagary.bsky.social

Maybe they were saving all the molestation stuff for the sequel www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-...

12189d ago

Drew Magary100

There will never be a good musical biopic ever again. Zero chance.

Jason Bergman4

You joke, but that's apparently literally what they're doing. The original plan was to include his "exoneration" (gross) but they had to do reshoots after they discovered one of the victims has an agreement that they can neve be depicted on film. So good news, now they're planning a sequel.

Art Of Coop

@artofcoop.bsky.social

after credits scene where Jeffrey Epstein invites Michael Jackson to join The Molestors

5389d ago

Sam Adams

@samadams.bsky.social

MICHAEL doesn’t do justice to Michael Jackson’s accusers. It also doesn’t do justice to Michael Jackson.

4189d ago

Jon Sternfeld 2

“Either the people who made this movie didn’t know who Michael Jackson was when he was out of the spotlight, or they don’t want us to, because their interest is only in the brand, not the man.” Phenomenal piece, Sam!

mimij9.bsky.social

@mimij9.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/music/2026/a... You can bullshit anything away these days if enough people want to make money. They’ll be doing it with Savile next.

2190d ago

Jenny Hamilton

@readingtheend.bsky.social

his fifth-grader, who loves Michael Jackson, wants to do a report on him, and this dad is like "okay, just don't research past the eighties" WHAT oh my God WHAT though? I am having hysterics.

2389d ago

Neil Before Zod

@waytowichneil.bsky.social

No, I will not be watching the Michael Jackson movie. That man was a pedophile. Everything he did has to be viewed under that lens. There is no before or after. Frankly, I think the world would be better served with a Stevie Wonder doc - who was a superior artist in every way.

2289d ago

Waitman Wade Beorn, PhD, FRHistS

@waitmanwbeorn.com

This movie CANNOT win ANY awards or the system is massively broken. A movie that leaves out the whole pedophile thing with Michael Jackson is just cinematic malpractice.

1390d ago

Candice Frederick

@candicefrederick.bsky.social

I think what's too often been overlooked in the discourse around this film are the fans of Michael Jackson’s music who do want, and deserve, a better made biopic. I am one of them.

1190d ago

Deirdre Connolly¹ ²

@durumcrustulum.com

the mj estate used an nda from 1992 to pressure hbo to take down the original (at least until ~2029), but there is an official sequel that i didn't even know about: youtu.be/kytCfJVUvDo

390d ago

Michael Warburton

@michaelwarburton.bsky.social

PAUL McCARTNEY’s reaction to Michael Jackson buying his (Beatles) songs…

990d ago

Mitchell Epner

@mitchellepner.bsky.social

Song for the Day: Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ - Michael Jackson youtu.be/1XMvPTFzgVU?...

789d ago

Your ol' pal Les McClaine

@lesmcclaine.com

I'm pretty grossed out that so many people are watching that Michael Jackson hagiography but at least he's dead and can't hurt any more people

689d ago

Liam Hoare 🇺🇦

@lahoare.bsky.social

Everyone has to draw their own red lines. Knowing what we know, I just can't listen to Michael Jackson's music anymore, and I sure as hell wouldn't want to make any money for his estate by buying a ticket to watch a whitewashed biopic.

690d ago

La Bimbocita

@bimbocita.com

My mom got me a Michael Jackson CD when I was 6 yrs old, and I played it on loop on my Xbox, he was fully my first idol. I never believed any of the bs cause it never made sense. & I'm just learning about the extent of the abuse he experienced, & knowing he had to deal the lies on top of that UGH!!!

489d ago

becca

@magicjewball.bsky.social

The way the Michael Jackson movie is being treated by the media (and the general population) will turn me into Frank "Grimey" Grimes.

490d ago

3 sources

rollingstone.co.ukWhy the Michael Jackson Movie Doesn’t Cover Sexual Abuse Allegations scrollworthy.orgMichael Jackson Bodyguards: Final Call & Biopic Roles mjvibe.comMichael Delivers Record Breaking Opening Weekend

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Rolling Stone: Michael biopic omits sexual abuse allegations

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