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Michael Jackson Biopic Opens to Harsh Reviews After Last‑Minute Overhaul

A settlement clause tied to a 1993 accuser forced costly reshoots that removed later allegations.

Overview

  • The film, which opens Friday, is drawing poor early scores on review sites, with Rotten Tomatoes hovering in the mid‑30s.
  • Estate lawyers found a settlement clause barring any depiction or mention of Jordan Chandler, prompting about 22 days of reshoots reportedly costing $10–15 million.
  • The released cut stops in 1988 and teases a follow‑up, leaving later controversies and investigations out of this installment.
  • Family responses are split, as Janet Jackson declined to be portrayed and Paris Jackson criticized the project as dishonest and sugar‑coated.
  • Many reviews fault the narrowed scope yet single out Jaafar Jackson’s performance for its striking physicality and stage recreations.