Spike Lee is defending the Michael film against critics.
In a recent interview with CNN, Lee shared that Jackson’s allegations of sexual abuse of children were not conducive to the film’s timeline. He belives that the film is great depiction of Jackson.
“First of all, if you’re a movie critic, and you’re complaining about the stuff — all this other stuff — but the movie ends at ‘88,” Lee explained. “The stuff you’re talking about, accusations, happen [later]. So you’re critiquing the film on something that you want in, but it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film. But people showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love.”
Lee went on to share the impact of Jackson as well as Prince, who passed in 2016.
“I miss Mike. And I miss Prince. I mean, these are my brothers, and I worked with both of them,” the Oscar winner said. “Beautiful, beautiful people.”
Previously, the “Do the Right Thing” filmmaker directed Jackson’s 1996 music video “They Don’t Care About Us.” Lee also directed two documentaries about Jackson’s life and career: 2012’s “Bad 25” and 2016’s “Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall”
Since Jackson’s passing in 2009, Lee has hosted tribute block parties, honoring the legacies titled “Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson” in Prospect Park. Also, following Prince’s death in 2016, Lee has been hosting “Born Day” street parties in front of his 40 Acres and a Mule headquarters in Fort Greene, held around Prince’s June 7th birthday.
While critics may have had their say, the box office and the fans have told another story. The Michael biopic continues its impressive theatrical run, following a $97.5 million domestic debut on April 24. Two weeks in, the film’s earnings have climbed to $183.8 million in North America and $423 million at the global box office.