Spike Lee Defends 'Michael' From Critics
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Spike Lee defended Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” stating the film ends in 1988 before any child sexual abuse allegations arose, making their omission consistent with the timeline.
- Lee praised the film after watching it twice, emphasizing that critics’ complaints about missing allegations are irrelevant to the film’s intended scope.
- The filmmakers had to alter the movie’s original ending due to a legal clause preventing mention of accuser Jordan Chandler, shifting focus to Jackson’s relationship with his father instead.
- Despite controversy, “Michael” has been a commercial success, grossing $183.8 million in North America and $423 million worldwide within two weekends.
- Lee, a longtime friend and collaborator of Jackson, previously directed Jackson’s music video and two documentaries about the singer’s life and career.
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