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The Michael Jackson biopic (Michael) continues to stir up controversy. The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua, will be released in 2025 and will tell the life story of the former King of Pop, and the latest to slam the flick is Dan Reed as he rips into the portrayal of abuse claims against MJ.
The movie will see Jackson's own nephew Jaafar in the lead role. He will play his uncle as an adult, while Juliano Krue Valdi will play the Thriller singer in his early years with the Jackson Five.
However, the film has on more than one occasion been caught in a storm for how this depiction of Jackson's life will be done, as many have pointed out that the controversies could have been greatly toned down or even removed from the film.
And one of the most critical voices with this biopic has been Dan Reed, director of the documentary 'Leaving Neverland' where two men tell of the abuse suffered by the musician when they were just ten and seven years old.
Reed described how he has read the draft of the script of the film and showed himself to be very upset by how the controversial issues would be treated in this new film with the lack of objectivity more than evident.
"It is an absolute attempt to completely rewrite the allegations and dismiss them outright," Reed said to The Times. "It tells complete lies.
"Jackson is only seen taking care of children with childhood cancer, dancing with a girl in a wheelchair or tucking several small children, mostly his nephews, in sleepovers. The truth is that he shared a bed with small children for many years."
For the director, the feeling left is that "it is as if they had been told what to write", showing his rejection of this new film, which he accuses of being untruthful and of falsifying reality, although we will have to see what happens once its release date arrives, initially projected for April 18, 2025.
What are the claims against Michael Jackson?
Jackson faced multiple allegations of child sexual abuse throughout his life, with the most high-profile case being in 2005 when he was acquitted of all charges. The allegations stemmed from accusations made by individuals who claimed that Jackson had engaged in inappropriate behavior with them during their childhood.
In the 2005 case, Jackson faced trial on charges of child molestation and conspiracy. The case revolved around accusations made by a teenage boy who claimed Jackson had sexually abused him.
The trial garnered intense media attention and lasted several months, during which Jackson maintained his innocence.
Ultimately, Jackson was acquitted on all charges by a California jury. Despite the legal victory, the trial took a toll on Jackson's career and personal life, further fueling speculation and controversy surrounding his relationships with children. The case remains one of the most infamous chapters in Jackson's tumultuous life and legacy.
Despite his legal acquittal, the accusations continue to be a subject of debate and controversy, with opinions divided on the veracity of the claims and Jackson's innocence or guilt.