*Seven years after “Leaving Neverland” upended conversations about Michael Jackson’s legacy, director Dan Reed says the general public’s response has led him to at least one stark conclusion. Regardless of the detailed accounts of childhood sexual abuse on the heart of the four-hour HBO movie, Jackson’s cultural standing has not solely survived — it has strengthened.
Reed was unequivocal when requested why. “Folks simply don’t care that he was a toddler molester. Actually, individuals simply don’t care,” he instructed The Hollywood Reporter.
Regardless of Reed’s perception that Jackson was “worse than Jeffrey Epstein,” the King of Pop’s cultural footprint retains increasing. Streaming numbers are up, “MJ the Musical” continues drawing crowds on Broadway, and the Lionsgate biopic “Michael,” direct by Antoine Fuqua, is among the many most anticipated releases of the yr. “Leaving Neverland,” in contrast, has all however vanished from public view.
The movie was pulled from HBO after the Jackson property secured a authorized decision with the community, leaning on language from a decades-old live performance contract to make its case. As soon as the licensing window closes in 2029, Reed says he intends to redistribute the movie on his personal phrases.
“The Michael Jackson property had a contract which Jackson had signed with HBO for a live performance recording in Budapest in 1992. The contract contained a non-disparagement clause,” Reed defined. “The property argued that the non-disparagement clause, which says, “You’ll be able to’t say something nasty about Michael,” utilized endlessly to every little thing that HBO would ever do — which is patently ridiculous. By some means the property managed to influence HBO to return to an amicable settlement. And that concerned, after six years on the platform, taking Leaving Neverland down.”
Reed additionally took intention at gold-digger accusations leveled at MJ’s accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck, mentioning that neither Robson nor Safechuck has seen a greenback from the years of authorized pursuit. He discovered it notably telling that Fuqua raised the difficulty, saying of these behind the biopic, “It appears to me all of the individuals concerned on this film are simply making financial institution.”
Skeptics have lengthy questioned why Robson initially defended Jackson in 2005 earlier than later altering his account. Reed defined that coming ahead as a survivor means telling the individuals closest to you that you weren’t telling the reality — a course of that dismantles your complete world. Reed says he stays in touch with Robson and Safechuck and is creating a brand new documentary round their upcoming trial.
Robson and Safechuck are headed again to courtroom in August 2026, pursuing a civil case towards the Michael Jackson property over allegations of childhood sexual abuse and in search of $400 million in damages.
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