Before Michael was even released, critics blasted the biopic for not including a key phase of the pop icon’s career: shocking abuse allegations.
However, director Spike Lee, who had seen the movie twice, is hitting back at the criticism.
In his view, which he aired in an interview with CNN, it does not make sense to be outraged because the movie depicted events in Jackson’s life in 1988.
The explosive allegations surfaced in 1993.
“First of all, if you’re a movie critic, and you’re complaining about the stuff—all this other stuff—but the movie ends at ‘88,” the Malcolm X director adds.
Lee called out reviewers by stating, “The stuff you’re talking about, accusations, happen [later].”
“So you’re critiquing the film on something that you want in, but it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film. But people showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love,” he concludes.
‘Michael’ makers hands were tied
Originally, the makers of Michael shot the biopic, which included the fallout after Jackson’s first abuse allegations by Jordan Chandler.
However, a past settlement with the accuser, Variety reported, led to the filmmakers scrapping the storyline to center on the pop singer’s tumultuous relationship with his father.