Michael Jackson’s biopic is already causing controversy, with the film’s creators promising the uncensored truth and the Leaving Neverland director calling BS, TMZ reports.
According to the report by TMZ, the new Michael Jackson film’s reportedly been touted in multiple press releases as an honest portrayal of Michael Jackson’s life with a focus on both his talent and his very human struggles.
Variety checked in with producer Graham King and screenwriter John Logan, who do put the abuse allegations into the film, after all, Michael went through a very public criminal trial over them, so it would be hard not to, but ultimately portray him through a lens of innocence since he wasn’t convicted back then, the report by TMZ added.
In a separate statement, Graham King said he didn’t sanitize Michael’s life one bit, instead working hard to present an unbiased picture of the King of Pop.
Well, Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed’s not buying that, telling the outlet he’s read a copy of the “Michael” screenplay and it’s basically an ode to MJ.
“Leaving Neverland” featured allegations of child sex abuse against Jackson by Wade Robson and James Safechuck, their court case against Jackson’s estate is still awaiting trial.
Reed says the movie goes out of its way to show Michael interacting with kids in a positive way, and he even goes as far as to say it seems like Michael’s former attorney John Branca, an executive producer on the film — sat the creative team down and straight up told them what to write.