Michael Jackson’s Nephew Hopes His Uncle Is ‘Smiling From Up Above’ Ahead of Release of Controversial Biopic
Jaafar Jackson hopes his late uncle would have approved of the new biopic about his life.
Jackson stars as Michael Jackson in Michael, which opens in theaters nationwide on April 24. The movie chronicles the King of Pop’s days as a young performer with the Jackson 5 to his time as the biggest star in the world. (The movie wraps up around 1988, according to reviews.)
“I just hope that my uncle, Michael, is smiling from up above,” Jackson told the star-studded crowd at the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles on Monday.
Jaafar Jackson calls playing Michael Jackson ‘a big responsibility’
Jackson, who is the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson, called the experience of portraying the “Billie Jean” singer “surreal” and “a big responsibility.”
“I wanted to go into it not leaving any stone unturned,” he said. “So focusing on everything. All the little details.”
But there are some big details that Michael leaves out. The movie has the blessing of the singer’s estate, and it focuses primarily on the singer’s complicated relationship with his domineering father, Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo), musical legacy, and impact on pop culture. It largely avoids discussing the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, most notably the accusations that he sexually abused multiple children.
Two of Jackson three children have indicated they support the movie, but his daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly distanced herself from the project, calling it “dishonest,” according to The Guardian. The second-most-famous Jackson sibling, Janet, does not appear in the film and allegedly had an “intensely negative” reaction to an early screening.
Why ‘Michael’ avoids discussing abuse allegations against Michael Jackson
One reviewer called Michael “hagiographic” and argued that any attempts by director Antoine Fuqua to tell a more nuanced story about its subject had been “sanded away.” Its its original version, Michael apparently addressed some of the darker aspects of Jackson’s story, opening with the 1993 molestation allegations against the Grammy-winner. But the movie underwent significant and costly reshoots to remove any reference to child sexual abuse, Variety reports. That’s because there was a clause in the settlement that Jackson reached with Jordan Chandler, one of his alleged victims, that barred any mention or depiction of him in a movie.
However, Chandler was just one of several boys who say they were abused by Jackson. While the “Thriller” singer was found not guilty after a high-profile criminal trial in 2005, more victims have come forward since his death in 2009. Jackson and his estate have consistently denied the allegations against him, but they have cast a massive shadow over his musical legacy. Michael’s mission, according to some involved, is to rehabilitate his legacy.
“After Leaving Neverland, I sensed a wavering force [among the first people attached to the movie],” John Branca, the co-executor of Jackson’s estate, said last year. “And unless you understand that Michael’s innocent, we can’t have you.”
How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.
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