Since January 2024, the biopic film ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson has made a series of announcements about the cast, but recently has encountered some troubles.

The film about Michael Jackson’s life called Michael includes actors: Colman Domingo as Joe, Jackson’s father; Nia Long plays mother Katherine, Miles Teller plays John Branca – Jackson’s lawyer and the late singer’s nephew – Jaafar Jackson plays the ‘king of pop’…

The press release describes the film as “an authentic and compelling take on a brilliant yet complex man,” including Michael Jackson’s “undeniable creative genius” as well as “the human side and his personal struggles”.

IMG : Michael Jackson’s nephew – Jaafar Jackson plays the ‘king of pop’

However, there is an important corner of Jackson’s life that would make that truth impossible: many accusations that the “king of pop” took advantage of his global fame to seduce young boys. adolescents having sex.

According to Puck News, director Antoine Fuqua, producer Graham King and screenwriter John Logan objected to the above allegations in their film. Michael Jackson has always denied it – including during his month-long criminal trial in 2005 for child molestation but was later acquitted. Michael’s family and asset management company still maintain his innocence after the singer’s death in 2009.

In a separate statement to Variety, Graham King said he “entered this project with an open mind and spent many years researching Michael Jackson’s life and career – from his art to his struggles.” public and private as well as the singer’s humanitarian efforts”.

“Michael’s life is very complicated. As a filmmaker, I want to present the most attractive and objective story so that the audience can decide their feelings after watching. Michael is clearly still a powerful artist. great influence, with culture and heritage worth exploring,” King continued.

However, King’s assurances of an “unbiased” film appear to have fallen out of favor with filmmaker Dan Reed – director of the 2019 documentary series Leaving Neverland, which detailed Wade’s allegations. Robson and James Safechuck that Michael Jackson maintained a sexual relationship that lasted for many years when they were both children, when Safechuck was 10 years old and Robson was 7 years old. Reed read a draft of Michael’s screenplay and called it “stunningly fraudulent” because it included views that discredited Robson and Safechuck.

“Jackson was only seen caring for children with cancer, dancing with a little girl in a wheelchair, or holding many boys, mainly his nephews. It felt like people created the movie being stuck in the room and being told what to write and what to do,” commented Dan Reed.

In 2013 and 2014, Robson and Safechuck sued Michael Jackson’s estate for failing to protect them from sexual abuse. After careful review, the California Court of Appeals ruled in 2023 that the lawsuits must go to trial.

John Carpenter – lawyer for Robson and Safechuck – said that the delay by the legal team of Michael Jackson’s estate management company may push the trial beyond the release time of the movie Michael – expected in April 2025.

Wade Robson (left) and James Safechuck in the movie Leaving Neverland

According to Variety, that leads to the fact that, as the film’s release may suffer from reduced ticket sales and with a budget of around $155 million, Michael needs to become one of the highest-grossing music biopics of all time. era to make a profit in theaters. Not only that, it would put more pressure on the cast and crew to portray Jackson as clean. “There is so much unpleasantness, so much evidence, so many accusations that anyone who supports this story in the film has a clear conscience,” Dan Reed said.

At Vanity Fair’s Oscars afterparty, Variety asked Miles Teller how Jackson’s allegations influenced his decision to star in Michael. The actor said: “Before choosing any role, I consider everything. Regardless of your opinion, Michael Jackson is one of the greatest artists. He deserves the job. a movie. I’m so excited to be a part of it.”

Colman Domingo also has a similar opinion: “I don’t think it’s my job to judge the morality of Michael Jackson. I always find compassion in everyone – those who were once considered evil, those who I was a victim. I participated in even more complex films and found humanity. Everything in this world is not black and white.”