Trending Now - Spike Lee Stands by 'michael,' Dismisses Abuse Claims Criticism
WHO:
Deadline - Spike Lee, director of the biopic "Michael"
Variety - Spike Lee, 3-time Oscar winner
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - The film "Michael" has grossed more than $400 million worldwide, becoming one of the top musical biopics ever.
The Hollywood Reporter - The film's release date was pushed from April 2025 to April 2026 due to a significant overhaul after an oversight by the Michael Jackson estate.
The Hollywood Reporter - Filmmakers are considering a sequel to tell more of Michael Jackson's story.
Deadline - "Michael" is enjoying a busy second weekend at the box office.
Variety - Spike Lee stated that the film "Michael" has received criticism for not including the child sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson.
Deadline - Spike Lee defended the film "Michael" amid controversy regarding its omission of child sexual abuse claims against Michael Jackson.
Variety - Lee stated that he has seen the movie "twice" and "loved it."
WHERE:
Deadline - The film "Michael" is produced by Lionsgate.
WHEN:
Variety - The film "Michael" ends in 1988, before the first child sexual abuse accusation against Jackson in 1993.
WHY:
Deadline - Spike Lee argued that the child abuse claims do not fit within the timeline of the film.
Variety - Lee emphasized that the film's narrative focuses on Jackson's rise before the allegations surfaced.
HOW:
Variety - Spike Lee defended the film by stating, "it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film."
Deadline - Lee described the film's timeline as a reason for not including the allegations.
(UPDATED May 4, 2026 07:49 UTC)
The film "Michael" has achieved remarkable success, grossing over $400 million worldwide and securing its place as one of the top musical biopics ever. Its release date was pushed from April 2025 to April 2026 following a significant overhaul prompted by an oversight from the Michael Jackson estate. Additionally, filmmakers are now contemplating a sequel to delve deeper into Michael Jackson's story.
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(UPDATED May 4, 2026 04:11 UTC)
"Michael" is having a successful second weekend at the box office, but it has also faced criticism for not addressing the child sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson. Director Spike Lee defended the film, explaining that including those allegations "doesn’t work in the timeline of the film." As the conversation around the film continues, it remains to be seen how audiences will respond to both its success and the controversy.
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(UPDATED May 3, 2026 21:08 UTC)
Spike Lee, the three-time Oscar-winning director, is defending his biopic "Michael" amid controversy over its omission of child sexual abuse claims against Michael Jackson. Lee, who has seen the film twice and loved it, argues that the narrative focuses on Jackson's rise before the first allegations surfaced in 1993, which is after the film's timeline ends in 1988. He emphasized that the child abuse claims do not fit within the context of the film, which is produced by Lionsgate.