Michael Jackson is back in the spotlight, and accusers are still trying to prove he’s bad

A musical about the King of Pop has opened in London and a biopic is due for release next year but detractors say they ignore allegations of child abuse against the star.

Michael Jackson’s popularity has been growing in recent years and there has been a big rise in streaming figures for his work. Picture: AFP

At the end of the hit Broadway musical based on the life of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop hurtles up through the floorboards.

The sudden reappearance of Jackson on stage in MJ: the Musical recalls the “toaster” entrance the singer made during the Dangerous world tour three decades ago. It also serves as a metaphor for the remarkable comeback his estate has orchestrated since his death of an overdose aged 50 in 2009.

At the time, Jackson’s star had waned following years of damaging allegations that he was a child molester - vehemently denied and never proven in court - while the extraordinary details of his private life threatened to swamp his career achievements.

Yet today Jackson is arguably as popular as at any point in the past 30 years.

MJ has arrived in London, garlanded with Tony awards. A US tour is under way and German and Australian dates have been scheduled.

Music sales data suggests Jackson’s appeal is growing again as the streaming industry expands around the world.

Last night was electric! MJ is officially in performances AND bookings have
been extended through December 7th! ❤️‍🔥 #MJtheMusicalUKpic.twitter.com/yNbowgMBJX

— MJ the Musical UK (@MJtheMusicalUK) March 7, 2024

Last month, Sony agreed to acquire half of Jackson’s catalogue in a deal that valued his assets at dollars 1.2 billion - the largest transaction for a single musician’s work.

But there is controversy brewing around the Hollywood biopic Michael, due for release in April next year and subject to the approval of the singer’s estate.

While the musical carefully avoids having to mention the allegations that Jackson abused young boys, the film is expected to tackle them head-on.

Michael, which features a host of A-list talent in front of and behind the camera, as well as Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar, in the lead role, will reportedly portray the Peter Pan of pop as a victim preyed upon by opportunists seeking a slice of his fortune.

According to the Hollywood newsletter Puck, an early version of the script attempts to downplay the allegations.

A Twitter post by Jaafar Jackson saying ‘I’m humbled and honoured to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon’. Picture: Twitter/Jourdynn Jackson

Dan Reed is the British film-maker who made the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, which featured claims from Wade Robson and James Safechuck that Jackson abused them as children.

Reed said he has been informed of the draft script and condemned what he described as a “complete whitewash”.

“It’s an out-and-out attempt to completely rewrite the allegations and dismiss them out of hand, and contains complete lies,” he said.

“You never even see him alone with any boys, when it is a matter of fact that he shared his bed with small children for many years.”

The Jackson estate sued HBO after it broadcast Leaving Neverland, arguing the network violated a non-disparagement clause from a 1992 contract. The case is still going through the courts.

Dan Reed, centre, made the film Leaving Neverland, which contained allegations by Wade Robson, left, and James Safechuck that they had been abused by Jackson as children. Picture: AP

Reed is making a follow-up documentary, After Neverland, which follows Robson and Safechuck’s decade-long quest for justice.

“They are very aggressively defending their commercial asset - and that’s their job,” Reed said of John Branca and John McClain, the Jackson estate managers.

“The Jackson machine has made probably going on a billion dollars since his death. They claim Wade and James are out to make money - yet the people trying to make the money is them.

“They are trying to make out that he was a saint, and yet he was a predatory pedophile who abused children.”

Michael Jackson testifies in Santa Maria Superior Court, on 13 November 2002, in a trial in which he is accused of cancelling concert appearances, costing the promoter several million dollars. Picture: AFP

Robson and Safechuck have filed lawsuits against the estate and, in August, a judge in California agreed that the pair’s negligence case can proceed to trial and their allegations against the Jackson estate be heard.

The trial will probably begin early next year - which, awkwardly for the estate, could coincide with the biopic.

The estate did not respond to a request for comment.

The extent to which Jackson has been rehabilitated is indicated by the A-list talent connected to the film, which will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who made Training Day, and written by Oscar nominee John Logan.

Miles Teller plays Jackson’s manager in the forthcoming biopic. Picture: Getty

Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo is playing Jackson’s abusive father, Joe, while Miles Teller, one of the hottest young stars in Hollywood following his work in Whiplash and Top Gun: Maverick, will play Branca, Jackson’s manager.

While some have questioned why such bankable stars would want to be involved in a contentious project, Teller has already come out swinging.

“Regardless of what you know or what your opinion may be, Michael is one of the greatest to ever do it, if not the greatest,” he told Variety at an Oscars party this month. “He deserves a movie, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Michael Niederman, professor in cinema and television arts at Columbia College Chicago, said a “well-done biopic can rewrite history, to some degree”.

However, he does not believe there is “much wiggle room” for producers of the Jackson film, given the subject matter of the allegations, with a public backlash possible.

US pop icon Michael Jackson wave to his fans as he leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse after being acquitted of all charges in his child molestation trial, on 13 June 2005 in Santa Maria, California. Picture: AFP

“That’s what I find astonishing,” Niederman said of reports that the film will address the allegations directly.

“And if they think they can retcon [retrospectively revise] his story, that will be a problem in today’s world.”

Niederman believes the actors who have signed up to the biopic risk damaging their reputations, if, as the early script suggests, the project attempts to dismiss the allegations.

“I think it will get very, very uncomfortable,” he said.

Reed, meanwhile, has condemned those taking part in the film.

“You have some of the really top minds and top talent in Hollywood working on this, and I don’t know how they are not ashamed. In one scene Jackson tucks kids into their sleeping bags - how do they not throw up when they do these scenes?”

The Times