Leaving Neverland, directed by Dan Reed, is a documentary that narrates the story of two men who accused Michael Jackson of child sexual abuse. The director of the documentary has now written a statement condemning the new biopic for the King Of Pop.
In a guest column for The Guardian published Sunday, Dan Reed condemned the decision to make a biopic on the music icon and asked why nobody is thinking about cancelling the film that will glorify a man who raped children.
He added that the public, press and his fans are setting aside his “unhealthy relationship with children” and just going along with the music he gave the world. Dan also challenged the filmmaking team, which includes director Antoine Fuqua, writer John Logan, as well as producers Graham King, John Branca and John McClain, whether the film would be able to represent alleged moments of abuse.
“How will you represent the moment when Jackson, a grown man in his 30s, takes a child by the hand and leads him into that bedroom?” the Emmy-winning Leaving Neverland helmer asked. “How will you depict what happens next?”
The first allegations of sexual abuse were made against Michael Jackson in 1993. The father of a 13-year-old boy demanded $20 million to not go public with the claims against Michael for inviting the child to Neverland Ranch and to travel with him. After the LAPD Sexually Exploited Child Unit launched an investigation, the singer made an out-of-court settlement of $22 million in 1994 as the boy’s family sued him for $30 million.
While in 1994 the grand juries in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles decided against indicting Michael in two separate cases, a decade later, following the release of Living with Michael Jackson (a documentary that came out in 2003), the Santa Barbara Sheriff and District Attorney reopened their investigation. Michael Jackson was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 after a thorough search of Neverland Ranch. His trial began in February 2005 and in June of that same year, Jackson was found not guilty on all charges. Jackson denied all allegations against him through his death in 2009.
The biopic titled Michael, written by John Logan will be produced by Graham King and will go on floors later this year. It revolves around Michael Jackson, who ruled the pop world for four decades as a dazzling performer, inspiring generations. His lasting legacy is also affected by controversies and allegations.