Dan Reed, the director of the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, has reignited debate around Michael Jackson with sharp criticism of the new biopic Michael.
Reed argues that the film, despite its box office success, sidesteps the serious abuse allegations that shadowed Jackson for decades.
He questions how any portrayal of the singer can be considered authentic if it ignores accusations of child sexual abuse, insisting that omitting this aspect distorts the story.
Reed’s stance is rooted in his documentary, which focused on Wade Robson and James Safechuck, two men who accused Jackson of abusing them as children.
Jackson denied such claims during his lifetime, and his estate continues to reject them.
Reed also condemned director Antoine Fuqua’s dismissal of the allegations as opportunistic “gold digging,” calling that view ironic given the commercial motives behind the biopic.
He emphasized that Robson and Safechuck have not profited from their accusations, pointing out that lawsuits only yield compensation if won in court.
Beyond the filmmakers, Reed accuses the media and Jackson’s estate of softening coverage due to the singer’s enduring popularity and financial power.
He argues that critics face backlash from the “Jackson machine,” while fans and industry figures often overlook troubling allegations in favor of celebrating Jackson’s music.
Reed’s harshest claim compares Jackson to Jeffrey Epstein, underscoring his belief that audiences are too willing to ignore disturbing accusations for the sake of entertainment.
With Michael bringing Jackson’s life back to the big screen, Reed insists the public should not be allowed to dance past the controversy.
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