Filmmaker Spike Lee is hitting out at critics of the "Michael" biopic, defending the makers' decision to skip allegations of child sexual abuse against King of Pop Michael Jackson.
In a recent interview, the director slammed the backlash as misguided, noting the film’s timeline ends in 1988—five years before the first claims surfaced in 1993.
Lee, who has already watched the movie twice, stands firmly behind the project, declaring, "I loved it."
"First of all, if you're a movie critic, and you're complaining about the stuff, all this other stuff, but the movie ends at '88," Lee said, adding, "The stuff you're talking about, accusations, happen later. So you're critiquing the film on something that you want in, but it doesn't work in the timeline of the film. But people showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love."
The omission has been a talking point among critics, though reports suggest it was not entirely a creative choice.
The film's original third act included Jackson dealing with the fallout from the first allegation. However, the Jackson estate identified a clause in a legal settlement with accuser Jordan Chandler that prohibited any depiction or mention of him in film projects.
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This forced the filmmakers to significantly revise the ending, shifting focus to Jackson's relationship with his father.
Despite the controversy, the film has seen strong audience turnout.
“Michael” opened to USD 97.5 million domestically on April 24 and has since earned USD 183.8 million across North America. Globally, the biopic has grossed USD 423 million within two weekends of release.
Lee also reflected on his personal connection with the late pop icon. "I miss Mike. I miss Prince. I mean, these are my brothers. I worked with both of them. Both beautiful, beautiful people," he said, referencing his collaborations with Jackson and Prince.
Lee directed Jackson's 1996 music video “They Don't Care About Us”, as well as two documentaries on his life and career, “Bad 25” in 2012 and "Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall" in 2016.
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