Why the Cast of ‘Michael’ Chose Not to Focus on Child Abuse Allegations and Hinted at a Possible Sequel
As fans of Michael Jackson flock to theaters for the new biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua, questions arise regarding the film’s handling of the child sexual abuse allegations that have surrounded the late pop icon.
The film, titled Michael, features Colman Domingo and Nia Long in the roles of MJ’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. They recently addressed the choice to avoid discussing the allegations that first emerged in 1993.
Domingo explained on the Today show, “The film takes place from the ’60s to 1988, so it does not go into the first allegations. So basically, we centered it on the makings of Michael. So, it’s an intimate portrait of who Michael is … through his eyes.”
He further suggested the possibility of a sequel that may address more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, stating, “This is about the making of Michael, how he was raised, and then how he was trying to find his voice as an artist and be a solo artist.”
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When asked about the potential for exploring the allegations in a sequel, Domingo remarked, “There could be a sequel. We don’t know yet.” Long added humorously, “If the price is right.”
The initial cut of the film reportedly exceeded three and a half hours, but concluded with a narrative that involved an accuser, whose settlement with Jackson’s estate precluded dramatization of their story. This detail was overlooked when the Michael Jackson estate approved the film.
In 2003, Jackson faced seven counts of child molestation and two counts of intoxicating a minor. He denied all allegations and was acquitted of all charges in 2005. Following Jackson’s death in 2009, additional accusers have come forward, deepening the controversy surrounding his legacy.
