Overview
- The biopic, which began Latin American release Thursday, reaches U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday after a world premiere in Berlin on April 10.
- Early reviews report low scores on Rotten Tomatoes (about 27%–35%) and a 38/100 on Metacritic, with critics saying the film sidesteps scandals and ends its story around 1988.
- Variety and other outlets report estate lawyers flagged a 1993 settlement clause that bars portraying accuser Jordan Chandler, forcing the removal of filmed scenes, a rewritten ending, and $10–15 million in reshoots.
- Jackson relatives are split, with Prince credited as an executive producer as Paris, Janet, and Randy decline involvement or criticize the project, and Taj Jackson defends it on social media.
- Fans and some reviewers praise Jaafar Jackson’s performance and the concert recreations, and trade coverage cites projections for a strong U.S. opening in the $65–70 million range if interest converts to ticket sales.