Michael Jackson’s nephew will star in his biopic. However, there are those who do not approve of this new project, such as the director of the controversial documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’, Dan Reed.
Ever since it became known that Michael Jackson will have a biopic, many have wondered if it will address the sexual abuse allegations against him. It has not yet started its production and negative comments are already raining down on it.
Dan Reed criticizes Michael Jackson’s biopic
In 2019, ‘Leaving Neverland‘ debuted, a controversial documentary that recounts the testimony of two men who were allegedly victims of sexual abuse during their childhood by singer Michael Jackson.
It was generally acclaimed not only by experts but also by a large part of the public. Even Owen Gleiberman, a critic for ‘Variety’ newspaper, made this overwhelming statement about the documentary: “A devastating and powerfully convincing testimony that Michael Jackson was guilty of child sexual abuse (…) It is no ‘thriller’, but better a horror movie about the real world.”
However, ‘Leaving Neverland’ also sparked controversy among his fans and relatives of the artist. In addition to defending and protecting Jackson, they affirmed that this production was only in charge of accusing lies against him.
Currently, Dan Reed published an editorial article in ‘The Guardian’ in which he exposed his disagreement with and discrepancy with the making of the new Michael Jackson biopic.
He expressed that this new biopic “will glorify a man who raped children.” On the other hand, Reed criticized the press and the fans who continue to love Michael Jackson: “they are willing to put aside his unhealthy relationship with the children and just follow the music.”
Again, he wanted to express that this biopic will be detrimental to victims of child sexual abuse, and questioned the production behind the tape: “To the filmmakers, I say: how will you represent the moment when Jackson, an adult man from about 30 years old, take a child by the hand and lead him into that room? How will you describe what happens next? By dodging the issue of Jackson’s predilection for sleeping with young children, he is sending a message to millions of survivors of child sexual abuse. That message is: if a pedophile is rich and popular enough, society will forgive him.”
What is known about Michael Jackson’s documentary?
Antoine Fuqua will be the film director who will oversee directing of this film, and Graham King will be the co-producer of this new biopic. On the other hand, Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, will play his uncle.
Movie studio Lionsgate announced that will be the film production company in charge of the documentary and pointed out that “the movie will address all aspects of Jackson’s life.” However, since the singer’s relatives will be involved in this production, there is a possibility that the criticism of sexual abuse against him will not be mentioned.
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Andrea Esteban
