'Leaving Neverland' Director Torches 'Michael' for Ignoring Alleged Abuse

Key Points:

• The documentary "Leaving Neverland," directed by Dan Reed, details Wade Robson and James Safechuck’s allegations of child sexual abuse by Michael Jackson, highlighting grooming tactics and abuse from when they were young children, which contrasts sharply with the sanitized portrayal of Jackson in the biopic "Michael."
• Reed criticizes the biopic "Michael," produced by the Jackson estate, for omitting abuse allegations and portraying Jackson as a victim of his own childhood, which Reed argues distorts the truth and undermines the testimonies of abuse survivors.
• Reed emphasizes the cultural mythologizing of Jackson, noting that his fans often reject abuse allegations to preserve his legacy, and he expresses frustration that the estate and filmmakers sidestep the serious accusations in favor of a more palatable narrative.
• The "Leaving Neverland" filmmakers faced intense backlash including bomb threats and online harassment, with Reed revealing that many threats came from bot accounts, and the film was eventually removed from HBO platforms due to legal settlements with the Jackson estate.
• Reed remains committed to telling Robson and Safechuck’s story, expecting their upcoming trial against the Jackson estate to proceed in 2026, and plans to continue documenting the case with a potential "Leaving Neverland 3."