Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Michael’ Debuts Big, Draws Backlash for Skipping Abuse Allegations

A new ZDF documentary revisits the 2005 case to challenge the estate-approved portrait.

Overview

  • The biopic opened as a box-office hit, taking in about $217 million worldwide over its first weekend, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
  • Critics fault the film for avoiding child sexual-abuse allegations and call it a PR-style portrait, with Rotten Tomatoes showing about 37–38% from critics versus 97% from audiences.
  • The production was shaped by the Jackson estate, with Prince, Jermaine, Jackie and Marlon credited as executive producers and family members attending the Los Angeles premiere.
  • In response to negative reviews, relatives TJ and Taj Jackson urged fans to judge the film for themselves, while director Antoine Fuqua said he was not convinced by the allegations.
  • Paris Jackson said she had zero involvement, called the film sanitized, and is in a developing legal dispute with the estate, as ZDFinfo releases a four-part series on the 2005 trial now streaming and airing on May 12.