By K.J. Yossman
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@KJYossman See All
Courtesy of Netflix Netflix almost pulled the streamer’s recent documentary “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” a week before its release for fear of reprisal, Variety has learned.
The three-part docuseries re-examines Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, which saw the pop superstar acquitted of all charges, including child molestation. It ultimately ran as planned, premiering on June 3.
“It would have been very embarrassing to pull the series after you drop the trailer — it would have been a huge story,” a source told Variety.
That source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was one of two who told Variety that “higher ups” at the streamer got “cold feet,” and considered axing the project after it had already been announced, mere days before it was due to be released, primarily because of concerns about blowback from Jackson’s estate, which has a reputation for litigiousness. The response from Jackson’s fans, who are known to be vociferous in their support of the deceased singer, also added to the streamer’s nervousness around the doc.
“It was the fear of a lawsuit from the estate rather than the fans,” the first source told Variety. “[Netflix] was really scared of their financial muscle.”
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