Spike Lee Defends Michael Biopic Timeline on CNN

Filmmaker Spike Lee defended the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" on CNN this week, arguing that critics complaining about its omission of sexual abuse allegations overlook the film's timeline, which ends in 1988, five years before the first claims surfaced in 1993.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and released on April 24, 2026, the film stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson as the pop icon, tracing his rise from the Jackson 5 in the 1960s through the Bad Tour era. Colman Domingo portrays father Joe Jackson, with Nia Long as mother Katherine Jackson and supporting roles by Miles Teller and Larenz Tate. Produced with involvement from the Jackson estate, it has grossed over $423 million worldwide after two weekends, setting records for music biopics with a $217 million global opening and $97 million domestic debut. It now ranks as the second-highest grossing musical biopic ever, behind only "Bohemian Rhapsody."

The project drew backlash from critics, who gave it a 38 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes compared to 97 percent from audiences. Many faulted it for avoiding allegations that dogged Jackson until his 2009 death, including a 1993 settlement with accuser Jordan Chandler...