Late Michael Jackson is back in the headlines as his latest biopic Michael faces both praise and controversy. While the film has been appreciated for Jaafar Jackson’s performance, it has also sparked online debate about its portrayal of the pop icon. Amid this, a viral report claimed the Jackson family was planning to “cash in” on the film’s success through a Thriller tour.
The report, originally circulated by an international publication, suggested that after the film’s strong opening of around Rs 1,800 crore globally, the family could explore further commercial opportunities. This immediately triggered backlash online, with many questioning the authenticity of the claims and the sources behind the story.
Taj Jackson Reacts Strongly To Cash-In Claims
Michael Jackson’s nephew Taj Jackson quickly responded to the viral report and dismissed the allegations. He used social media to slam what he called misleading and fabricated stories about his family.
He wrote, “Do I have to drag you again, @nypost. Leave my family alone with your lies and clickbait articles. You and your fake sources. A family source… blah blah blah. Stacy Brown, you have no credibility, never have. That’s why I’ve called you a weasel in the past. And just so you know, Stacy Brown was having dinner with the prosecution team during my uncle’s trial. Stop trusting the tabloids.”
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The family strongly denies any plans to monetise the biopic through additional tours or projects.
Mixed Response To Michael Jackson Biopic
The film Michael, released on April 24, features Jaafar Jackson stepping into the role of his legendary uncle. While some viewers praised the emotional storytelling and performance, others felt the film attempted to soften parts of Michael Jackson’s controversial history.
The biopic focuses heavily on his rise to global fame, from the Jackson 5 era to the Thriller and Bad years. It highlights his musical genius, perfectionism and impact on pop culture, while avoiding deeper exploration of later legal controversies.
Michael is also being called one of the most expensive music biopics ever made, with an estimated budget between $155 million and $200 million. A major portion of the cost reportedly went into music rights and large-scale reshoots.
The filmmakers also made changes to the narrative structure to keep the focus on his peak career years. As a result, the final cut runs for around 2 hours and 10 minutes, offering a more compact version of his life story.
