Taj Jackson has taken a sharp jab at the media just days before the highly anticipated release of the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael.
The nephew of the late King of Pop took to social media on Tuesday to celebrate what he sees as a shift in power, claiming that journalists can no longer “control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was.”
As the film prepares to hit cinemas this Friday, Taj told his followers that the public will finally get to watch the story and decide the truth for themselves, pointedly adding, “And you can’t handle that.”
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced with the involvement of the Jackson estate, the film follows Michael’s journey from a 10-year-old star in the Jackson 5 to the height of his global fame around 1988 during the Bad world tour.
Interestingly, the movie was originally meant to cover a much longer timeframe, including the 1993 child molestation allegations.
However, estate lawyers discovered that a previous settlement with an accuser actually prevented any mention or depiction of them on film.
This forced the production into a massive pivot, requiring 22 days of reshoots and a new third act that cost between $15 million and $20 million.
Despite the behind-the-scenes hurdles, industry experts are keeping a close eye on the box office.
The biopic’s release marks a significant moment for the Jackson family, who have long been at odds with how the singer’s legacy is portrayed in the press.
By focusing on his artistic prime and the era of his greatest commercial success, the film aims to remind audiences why he became a global icon in the first place.
Whether the general public aligns with the critics or follows Taj’s lead remains to be seen, but the family is clearly banking on the fans to reclaim the narrative once the credits finally roll this weekend.
