The world premiere of the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' is taking place in Berlin, with Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson's nephew, portraying the pop star. At least a third of the film had to be discarded because it depicted the 1993 sexual abuse allegations by Jordy Chandler's family as false. This has cast a shadow over the production, which is now facing scrutiny over how it handles the allegations that have long dogged Jackson's legacy.
The film 'Michael' has a budget of $150 million and is scheduled for release on April 22, after being delayed by a year. Reshoots for the film cost millions, with reports suggesting $50 million and producers claiming $15 million. All scenes filmed at Michael Jackson's Neverland home were discarded from the film, contributing to the significant reworking of the project.
I ask all of you to wait, or hear the truth before you label or condemn me. Don’t treat me like a criminal because I am innocent.
In 1993, a 13-year-old boy, Jordan Chandler, accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing him. The boy told police about specific markings on Michael Jackson's body that he could only have seen if Jackson was nude, and police prepared a search warrant to take images of Michael Jackson's private parts based on the boy's information. Michael Jackson denied the 1993 allegations as 'totally false' and accused the press of manipulating them. He also accused Jordan Chandler's family of attempting to extort him for a $20 million film deal.
The legal aftermath of the 1993 case included Michael Jackson settling out of court for $23 million after Jordy Chandler accused him of sexual abuse. The Jackson estate signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding the 1993 allegations that remains in effect after Michael Jackson's death. A phone recording alleged to be Evan Chandler, Jordan's father, includes a man saying he would win big time and get everything he wanted if he went through with the allegations. However, Detective Rosibel Smith did not get the impression of 'money motivation' from the 13-year-old boy.
I can only imagine the face had to do with what I had experienced at the moment. I assume I was really trying to process or make sense of whatever trauma I was undergoing. I can see the fear and confusion of what I was living.
New allegations have emerged from the Cascio family, who allege that Michael Jackson sexually abused four of their five children. Dominic Cascio and his siblings are suing Michael Jackson's companies and estate, alleging Jackson sexually assaulted them. The lawsuit claims Michael Jackson drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted the plaintiffs. Lawyers for Jackson's estate have dismissed the Cascio family claims as a 'desperate money grab'.
Reactions to the biopic include Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson's 28-year-old daughter, who will not attend the Berlin or Los Angeles premieres of the film. Lionsgate wants to make a second film that may include later-period material but must exclude allegations of abuse of young boys. It is unknown how much of the discarded film material will be used in this potential second project.