Paris Jackson Condemns Upcoming Michael Biopic as 'Dishonest Fantasy'
Paris Jackson has launched a scathing critique of the forthcoming biopic Michael, branding it as 'dishonest' and a 'fantasy'. She continues to level serious accusations against the two executors of her late father's estate, John Branca and John McClain, who are spearheading the film's production. In response, lawyers for the Michael Jackson estate have firmly dismissed Paris' protests, telling TMZ that her claims are 'without merit'.
Legal Battle Over Estate Management Intensifies
The legal feud between Paris Jackson and the estate executors reached a peak last year when she accused them of financial mismanagement, a lack of transparency, and wasting estate resources since Jackson's death in 2009. Paris has been vocal about her disapproval of their handling of affairs, recently speaking out again via TMZ. She alleges that the co-executors used estate funds to invest in risky entertainment ventures, including the Michael biopic, which is set for wide release on April 24.
Jackson's middle child, who met the co-executors in court earlier this month, expressed that it is 'troubling' to her that Branca and McClain financed most, if not all, of the film's $150 million budget with estate money. She labeled the project a 'botched production', questioning Branca's decision to cast Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller as himself in the biopic. Paris argued that it is 'unclear how this peculiar and presumably costly casting decision will result in commensurate box office receipts'.
Estate Lawyers Fire Back at Allegations
Paris further pointed out that Branca's inexperience as a film producer 'may be the root of reports that the estate has had to fund tens of millions of dollars in reshoots', after a settlement agreement prevented the use of substantial footage already shot. However, lawyers for the estate countered sharply, stating that Paris and her legal team have 'either not been paying attention over the past several years or simply want to object for objections’ sake'.
They added that she and her lawyers 'seem far more interested in playing media games by making headline-grabbing, yet false, accusations; raising specific “concerns” over issues previously addressed and resolved, and staging tabloid press photo ops strutting into hearings with obvious props'. The lawyers defended the executors, noting their extensive producing experience and successful projects involving Jackson, such as Cirque du Soleil shows and MJ the Musical on Broadway.
Financial Disputes and Family Dynamics
The estate's lawyers asserted that Paris' complaints about financial expenditures are unfounded, arguing it would be 'irresponsible not to explore a major motion picture based on Michael Jackson’s life', citing the success of the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. Attorney Jonathan Steinsapir revealed that Paris and her lawyer ignored an invitation to meet, stating, 'Ms. Jackson and her attorneys are once again abusing the courts and the legal system by making a series of false allegations as part of a media campaign to distract from their legal setbacks and the inherent weakness of their case'.
Steinsapir emphasized that the executors have been 'meticulous and conscientious in every decision that they have made', highlighting that Paris has already received roughly $65 million in benefits and stands to inherit hundreds of millions more from an estate that was $500 million in debt at the time of Michael's death but now generates billions in revenue.
Family Support and Paris' Stance on Biopics
In contrast to Paris' criticism, the biopic has reportedly garnered support from her brother Prince. Actor Colman Domingo, who plays family patriarch Joe Jackson in the film, told People, 'Her brother [Prince] is very much a fan of the film. He's also a producer on the film as well'. Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, 29, portrays the pop star in the movie.
Back in September, Paris wrote on Instagram that she 'read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest / didn't sit right with me and when they didn't address it i moved on with my life'. She added, 'The film panders to a very specific section of my dad's fandom that still lives in a fantasy, and they're gonna be happy with it'.
Paris clarified that she was not involved in the production and generally dislikes biopics, stating, 'The thing about these biopics is it’s Hollywood. It’s fantasy land — it’s not real'. She concluded, 'But it’s sold to you as real, and a lot of sugar-coated… the narrative is being controlled. There's a lot of inaccuracy and there's a lot of full-blown lies. At the end of the day, that doesn't really fly with me. I don’t really like dishonesty'.
