Spike Lee is defending the new Michael Jackson biopic after its release sparked a wave of backlash.
The recently released film, “Michael,” has quickly become a major talking point among viewers, with much of the criticism centered on its decision to sidestep the child sexual abuse allegations that long followed the late pop icon.
Some viewers have accused the project of presenting a polished version of Jackson’s life while avoiding one of the most controversial parts of his legacy. Now, Lee has entered the conversation, offering a firm defense of the biopic’s creative direction as debate around the film continues to grow.
“Michael” debuted in theaters on April 24, drawing both longtime fans and newer audiences to cinemas across the world.
However, the release was quickly followed by a wave of mixed reactions. While some viewers praised the project, others criticized the film for not addressing the child sex abuse allegations that became a major part of the late pop icon’s public legacy.
But filmmaker Spike Lee, who directed Jackson’s 1996 music video for “They Don’t Care About Us,” pushed back on that criticism during a sit-down with CNN’s Laura Coates.
“The movie ends in ’88, and the stuff you’re talking about, accusations happened [later],” he said. “So you’re critiquing the film on something you wanted, but it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film.”
Lee Says Fans ‘Showed Up’ For The Movie
During his chat with Coates, Lee revealed that he had already been to theaters twice to see “Michael” since its release and was pleased with how the project turned out both times.
According to the filmmaker, that sense of appreciation was shared by many moviegoers, as he suggested theaters were packed during his visits.
“People showed up, they showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love,” Lee said.
Lee also reflected on his personal and professional relationships with Jackson and his pop rival Prince, saying he still misses them both. Jackson died in June 2009, while Prince passed away in April 2016.
“I mean, these are my brothers. I worked with both of them. Both beautiful, beautiful people,” he added.
Internet Divided Over Spike Lee’s ‘Michael’ Defense
Lee’s remarks quickly spread across multiple news outlets and sparked mixed reactions online.
While some critics pushed back, many defended his position, arguing that the film is set in a period before the allegations surfaced and therefore had no need to address them.
“Spike Lee said what many are thinking, judge the film for the story it actually tells, not the chapters it never claimed to cover,” one social media user wrote.
However, those who disagreed argued that the seriousness of the allegations against Jackson was enough to warrant at least a brief acknowledgment in the film.
“If you’re going to end the biopic before someone did something heinous or before it came to light, the least you can do is allude to it,” another user remarked.
The Filmmaker Recalled Working With Michael Jackson
Lee’s collaboration with Jackson on “They Don’t Care About Us” almost did not happen, as the filmmaker initially had his eyes on a different song.
Speaking to Stereogum for the publication’s “We’ve Got a File On You” series, Lee revealed that Jackson personally approached him about collaborating and gave him a collection of songs to review before choosing a track.
After listening, Lee said he wanted to direct the video for “Stranger in Moscow,” but Jackson had other plans and pushed him toward “They Don’t Care About Us.”
“‘No, you don’t want [‘Stranger in Moscow’]! The song you want is ‘They Don’t Care About Us,’” Lee recalled Jackson telling him.
Lee said he eventually agreed, telling the singer, “Mike, if that’s the song you want me to do, I’ll do it! But you asked me to pick the song!”
Spike Lee’s Other Michael Jackson Projects
Since the video first aired in 1996, it has gone on to rack up over 1.3 billion views and remains one of Jackson’s most-watched music videos.
A year after the original version was released, Lee also directed the “Prison Version,” which was filmed in a jail with actual prisoners and highlighted several incidents of human rights abuses across the world.
In 2020, Lee revisited the project with a follow-up version that combined elements of both the original and prison versions, alongside footage from the Black Lives Matter protests that followed the death of George Floyd.
