Michael Jackson’s nephew reacts to early negative reviews of the pop star’s forthcoming biopic titled 'Michael.'
'You Don't Get to Control the Narrative': Michael Jackson's Nephew Slams Critics Ahead of Biopic Release
Michael Jackson's nephew, Taj Jackson, has hit back at negative early reviews of the upcoming biopic Michael from media outlets.
Starring Jackson's nephew Jafaar Jackson in the titular role, the biopic will follow the singer's early life to his historic rise to fame as the King of Pop.
The film, slated to release this Friday (April 24), has received mixed to negative reviews from critics, with a 36 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
'Critics Have to Eat Crow'
Amid this, Taj took to X to voice out his displeasure with the reception of his uncle's biopic. Calling out media houses, he declared that they no longer get to control the discourse.
"Sorry media, u don't get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was. The public gets to watch this movie, they will decide for themselves. And you can't handle that," Taj wrote.
"Can't wait till some critics have to eat crow. And yes I will be that petty," he added in another post.
Taj Jackson slams media houses over negative reviews of Michael Jackson's upcoming biopic.
Taj's brother TJ Jackson also took to the social media platform to express his excitement and zeal for the forthcoming biopic.
He wrote that although he had already seen the movie several times, he planned to attend another screening at the theaters.
"I'm going to the theater in a few hours to see a movie I've seen several times. Why? I'm proud. I wouldn't miss this opportunity to be masked in the electrifying energy that will be in that theater for nothing," he wrote, before adding, "My uncle deserves this, my cousin earned this and his loyal supporters are owed this. The world will be reminded or learn who MJ truly was and I can't wait!"
TJ Jackson says he would watch the screening of 'Michael' again despite having seen the film several times before.
Why Did 'Michael' Receive Negative Reviews?
The criticism against the upcoming biopic is mainly centered around the choice not to include the dark phases of Jackson's career, especially the child s*xual abuse allegations that were leveled against him.
Reportedly, Michael traces Jackson's journey from his early days with the Jackson 5 to the height of his worldwide fame in 1988.
According to previous reports, the film's third act initially included references to the allegations involving Jordan Chandler.
However, Variety reported that those scenes were removed from the final version, along with any mention of child molestation accusations.
Lawyers for Jackson's estate, which approved and financed the film, found a prior non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in which Chandler had forbidden any depiction or mention of him in any film.
Following this, the film reportedly underwent a 22-day reshoot, funded by Jackson's estate and costing between $10 million and $15 million.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael features Jafaar alongside Colman Domingo, who plays the pop icon's father Joe Jackson, and Nia Long, who plays his mother Katherine.