Filmmaker Spike Lee has publicly defended Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic, “Michael,” against critics who argue that the film should have included allegations of child sexual abuse against the pop star. Lee, who stated he watched the movie “twice” and “loved it,” pointed out that the film concludes in 1988, prior to the first accusation surfacing in 1993. According to Lee, complaining about the omission is therefore “pointless” as that part of Jackson’s life “doesn’t work in the timeline of the film.” He emphasized that critics are "critiquing the film on something that you want in, but it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film." Lee also expressed his personal sentiment, saying, "I miss Mike. I miss Prince. I mean, these are my brothers. I worked with both of them. Both beautiful, beautiful people.”

While the timeline explanation addresses some concerns, a report by Variety in early April revealed a more complex reason behind the omission. Originally, a significant portion of the movie’s third act was intended to delve into Jackson navigating the repercussions of his first sexual abuse allegation. However, the Jackson estate discovered a specific clause within the settlement with Jordan Chandler, one of Jackson’s accusers. This clause legally barred the depiction or even mention of Chandler in any film projects, forcing the filmmakers to entirely rework the movie's ending. Consequently, the dramatic tension of the story was redirected to focus on Jackson’s strained relationship with his controlling father.

Despite the controversy and the necessary plot adjustments, fan reception to “Michael” has been strong. As Spike Lee observed, fans appear “unbothered” by the rework. The biopic opened to an impressive $97.5 million domestically on April 24. Within just two weekends in theaters, the film has achieved substantial commercial success, grossing $183.8 million in North America and a remarkable $423 million globally, underscoring its worldwide appeal.

Spike Lee himself shared a significant professional and personal history with the King of Pop. The Oscar-winning director was at the helm of Jackson’s 1996 music video for “They Don’t Care About Us.” Beyond music videos, Lee also directed two acclaimed documentaries chronicling different facets of Jackson’s life and career: “Bad 25” in 2012, which commemorated the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s iconic album, and “Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall” in 2016.