One Michael star may be preparing to take legal action. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the Michael Jackson biopic premiered in theaters on April 24 and has resonated strongly with audiences. Featuring Jaafar Jackson in the lead role as the iconic pop star, the cast also boasts Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, and Juliano Valdi.
While the film has enjoyed significant Box Office success to date, reports suggest that tensions are rising behind the scenes.
As reported by Puck, Nia Long, who portrays Katherine, Michael’s mother in the film, is considering legal action against Lionsgate due to a specific clause in her contract. It is reported that Long has a “favored nations” clause, which ensures that her pay cannot be lower than that of her co-stars.
The issue arises from Nia Long discovering that both Domingo and Teller received higher pay than she did for the film. She is now allegedly threatening to pursue mediation with Lionsgate regarding this situation, although neither Lionsgate nor Long’s representatives have made any statements on the topic.
Katherine’s screen time in Michael is shorter than Domingo’s, who portrays Joseph Jackson. However, the report highlights that the film experienced considerable alterations after Long joined the cast.
Initially, Long was meant to have a more prominent role, with an earlier version of the script including a significant scene for Katherine near the film’s conclusion. This is merely the most recent controversy involving Michael, who has encountered a difficult journey to reach the big screen.
The Hollywood Reporter has previously disclosed that the film had to eliminate a significant portion of it’s original third act, including sequences that addressed the 1993 child misuse allegations. It is believed that these scenes were removed because of a clause in the settlement agreement with accuser Jordan Chandler, which prohibits his portrayal or mention in any film adaptation.
The Jackson estate is said to have invested millions to redo the ending of the film Michael, altering it to eliminate any mention of the child misuse allegations. However, the decision to exclude this significant aspect of the pop star’s life has sparked controversy, as it was a scandal that haunted Jackson until his passing in 2009.
Despite the mixed reviews from critics regarding Michael, which often overlook the more troubling or contentious elements of Jackson’s life, audience reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. The film boasts an impressive 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, starkly contrasting with the disappointing 38% critics’ rating.
Michael is poised to surpass the $900 million milestone globally showcasing immense excitement from audiences. The film evidently paves the way for a sequel, potentially beginning production later this year. However, it remains uncertain how Long’s ongoing legal issues will affect her involvement in the next installment.