A long-awaited documentary about Prince has officially been shelved. Director Ezra Edelman had been developing the six-hour project over the past four years, but Netflix and the Prince Estate have decided to halt its release.
Netflix and Prince Estate Confirm Cancellation
Netflix released a statement Thursday confirming the decision, saying, “The Prince Estate and Netflix have come to a mutual agreement that will allow the estate to develop and produce a new documentary featuring exclusive content from Prince’s archive. As a result, the Netflix documentary will not be released.”
The official X account for Prince echoed the announcement, posting a clip with the caption, “The Vault Has Been Freed #FREE.” The video contained a message that read, “Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people. The truth is, you are either here to enlighten or discourage.”
Concerns Over Accuracy and Estate’s Response
Though the documentary was highly anticipated, its cancellation does not come as a complete surprise. Representatives for Prince’s estate had previously expressed concerns about the accuracy of the film. Last summer, sources close to the estate claimed the documentary contained “dramatic” factual inaccuracies and “sensationalized” portrayals of key moments in Prince’s life.
Edelman, known for his award-winning documentary O.J.: Made in America, was granted extensive access to Prince’s archives. According to Variety, the filmmaker delivered nine hours of footage, exceeding the agreed-upon six-hour contract. This overage may have allowed the estate to withhold music rights, effectively halting the project.
A New York Times article from September 2024, titled The Prince We Never Knew, described scenes from the documentary, including allegations of physical altercations between Prince and his ex-girlfriend Jill Jones. The article noted that the film evoked “amazement, pity, disgust, and tenderness,” covering Prince’s musical genius, career-defining moments, personal struggles, and difficult childhood.
Prince passed away in April 2016 from an accidental fentanyl overdose at age 57. While the Netflix project is no longer moving forward, the estate’s new documentary promises to present an authorized look at the legendary artist’s life and legacy.