The biographical epic "Michael" has drawn massive audiences, grossing over $1 billion worldwide, yet its narrative has already faced criticism for omitting significant parts of Michael Jackson's life and failing to construct a complete story. One notable omission is the complete absence of Michael's sister, Janet Jackson, who neither appears in the film nor is her presence acknowledged.
Regarding Janet's absence, Michael's sister La Toya Jackson previously explained that they had approached Janet, but she declined, unwilling to have another actress portray her in the film. Now, Jaafar Jackson, who stars as Michael in the biopic, has offered further details on the matter during a recent interview with GQ Middle East.
Jaafar explained that while he didn't want to jump to conclusions, Janet is reportedly considering her own biographical film. He suggested that having another actress portray her in "Michael," only for her to then cast a different actress in her own biopic, would be somewhat... He trailed off without finishing his thought, but the implication was clear: Janet desires creative control over her own narrative.
"Michael" has also faced frequent criticism for its failure to depict the child sexual abuse allegations against Michael. These incidents were reportedly constrained by non-disclosure agreements signed with accusers years ago, leading to the removal of significant filmed scenes from the movie. The film's narrative concludes in 1988, prior to the emergence of these allegations. It remains uncertain whether a potential sequel, which is currently in development, can find a new approach to navigate these contractual limitations. Jaafar admitted he has no say in the script's direction and noted that the screenplay for a second installment is still undergoing revisions, making its final presentation unclear. However, he expressed hope that any future film would examine these allegations from Michael's personal perspective.
via： GQ