Michael Jackson Estate Says Paris Jackson's Biopic Criticisms Are Wrong

Michael Jackson’s estate, represented by its executors John Branca and John McClain, has formally rejected claims made by Paris Jackson, the late musician's daughter, regarding the upcoming biopic "Michael." The estate’s legal representatives described her criticisms as "without merit" and accused her of orchestrating a "media campaign" with a "complete lack of understanding" of the film industry.

The estate's attorneys contend that Paris Jackson has disregarded their track record of successfully managing Jackson's legacy, pointing to previous projects like the 2009 documentary "Michael Jackson: This Is It" as evidence of their financial acumen. They assert that the allegations of financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency are unfounded.

The estate's filing in Los Angeles probate court directly addresses Paris Jackson's objections to the biopic and her concerns about estate spending. While Jackson has voiced that the film is "dishonest" and contains "full blown lies," suggesting it is "fantasy land," the executors maintain that she was offered a meeting to discuss her concerns. They claim her lawyer did not follow up on a proposed non-disclosure agreement. The estate also highlighted instances where a prior script allegedly violated a 1994 blackout clause by depicting certain allegations from Jackson's perspective, leading to costly reshoots.

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Paris Jackson has publicly stated her desire to distance herself from the project, which is slated for release next month. She has alleged that her feedback on an early draft of the script was disregarded, leading her to withdraw from further involvement. Jackson expressed a preference for "honesty over sales and monetary gain," questioning the project's financial viability and characterizing it as a risky investment. Her team has also challenged the estate's claim that she has already benefited financially, labeling the figure of approximately $65 million as "outright false."

Sources familiar with the legal proceedings suggest that Paris Jackson's legal representation might be involved in a broader power struggle over the estate. Concerns have been raised about whether her advisor is solely representing her interests or attempting to leverage the situation for a larger stake in estate management. The estate asserts that Paris Jackson will continue to benefit substantially from their work, with potential inheritance in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, Paris's team has accused the executors of leaving significant assets earning minimal returns, suggesting a prioritization of their own interests and a drive to "enrich and aggrandise" themselves.

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The upcoming biopic, "Michael," stars Jafaar Jackson as his uncle, with Colman Domingo portraying Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Lorenz Tate as Berry Gordy. Despite Paris Jackson's vocal opposition, her brother Prince has reportedly offered support for the film. Actor Colman Domingo had previously suggested that both Paris and Prince were supportive of the project, though Paris has since refuted any direct involvement or endorsement. The estate, through its attorneys, argues that Paris Jackson exhibits an "inadequate understanding" of the film production process and the role of producers. They point to a history of substantial revenue generation from Jackson-related ventures as proof of their management capabilities.