Entertainment · Film · 12 hrs ago
Jaafar Jackson discusses cut allegations storyline in Michael biopic
Jaafar Jackson has spoken about a third act cut from Michael, the biopic in which he plays his uncle, Michael Jackson.
The original screenplay included material about child sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, but a legal settlement clause barred the Jackson estate from mentioning one accuser.
The production spent $15 million on reshoots and changed the film’s ending, shifting its focus to Michael’s relationship with his father, Joe.
The released film ends in 1988 with Michael performing at Wembley Stadium during the Bad Tour and went on to earn more than $1 billion worldwide.
A sequel has been confirmed and is expected to address the allegations from Michael’s point of view, Jaafar said.
No release date for the sequel is given.
Jaafar Jackson discussed the child abuse allegations storyline that was removed from the Michael Jackson biopic Michael.
The initial screenplay included the allegations, but the released film does not refer to them.
A legal settlement clause discovered during production barred the Jackson estate from mentioning accuser Jordan Chandler, and the production spent $15 million on reshoots.
The film ends in 1988 with Michael Jackson performing at Wembley Stadium during the Bad World Tour.
Jaafar said the experience of filming scenes that did not make the final cut helped him grow as an actor.
- Who
- Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, who played him in the biopic.
- What
- He discussed the removal of a third-act storyline about child abuse allegations from Michael.
- When
- In interviews published on October 19 and 20, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- A legal settlement clause barred the Jackson estate from mentioning accuser Jordan Chandler, prompting reshoots and a change to the film’s ending.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The production discovered a settlement clause barring the Jackson estate from mentioning Jordan Chandler and spent $15 million on reshoots.
Michael opened, according to Variety, ending with Michael Jackson performing at Wembley Stadium in 1988.
It was confirmed that Michael would get a sequel.
Variety published an interview with Jaafar Jackson about the film and its original third act.
NME published Jaafar Jackson’s comments about the cut material.
- Film
- Michael
- Actor
- Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew
- Removed storyline
- Child abuse allegations
- Settlement clause
- Barred the Jackson estate from mentioning Jordan Chandler
- Reshoots
- $15 million
- Original ending
- 1988 performance at Wembley Stadium during the Bad World Tour
3 sources
‘It’s important that Michael’s voice is heard’: Jaafar Jackson says second biopic of his uncle will cover sexual abuse allegations
Jaafar Jackson on ‘cut’ third act of ‘Michael’ that tackled child abuse allegations
Jaafar Jackson on Playing His Uncle in ‘Michael,’ Losing the Original Third Act and the Upcoming Sequel: ‘My Job Is to Come Prepared’
What people are saying
I know how proud Michael would be of that, because he was someone who wanted to break many records.
So going in, I knew not everything we shot would make it into the final picture,
But for me, it was the most rewarding experience because even the things that weren’t used, the experience I got from them, made me a better actor.
It’s someone else’s story. It’s someone else’s idea of what it is, and it’s mainly driven by an agenda.