Jackson Family Tightly Controls New Biopic Narrative

The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, "Michael," aims to capture the essence of the King of Pop's early career, from his childhood in Gary, Indiana, to his iconic performances during the Bad World Tour. The film, produced by Graham King, who also produced the Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," features Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the titular role. Despite a significant production budget of $200 million, distributors Lionsgate anticipate global revenues of $700 million.

However, the biopic's narrative has drawn criticism for its deliberate exclusion of the child sex abuse allegations that long shadowed Michael Jackson. Lawyers for the Jackson estate reportedly had to cut and re-shoot sections due to a settlement clause with an accuser. Jackson's daughter, Paris, has been particularly vocal, accusing the film of presenting an inaccurate and "controlled" version of her father's life, catering to a specific segment of his fanbase.

Despite these controversies, the film's concert scenes and Jaafar Jackson's performance as the gloved singer are expected to resonate with fans. The involvement of the surviving Jackson siblings as executive producers has raised questions about the family's influence over the film's content. This new release is poised to further bolster the Jackson family's ongoing commercial endeavors, which include the Broadway musical "MJ: The Musical" and the Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show "Michael Jackson ONE."