Netflix Almost Pulled the ‘Michael Jackson: The Verdict’ Docuseries Just Days Before Release
Netflix reportedly came close to canceling its recent documentary series about Michael Jackson just days before it was scheduled to premiere. According to Variety, executives at the streaming company became concerned about possible backlash from Jackson’s estate and his loyal fanbase, leading some higher-ups to question whether the project should still move forward.
The three-part docuseries, titled “Michael Jackson: The Verdict,” focuses on Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, where the singer was accused of child molestation and was ultimately found not guilty on all charges. The series premiered on Netflix as planned on June 3, but behind the scenes, the streamer was reportedly dealing with concerns over the possible consequences of releasing it.
Sources who spoke with Variety claimed that some Netflix executives became nervous after the trailer had already been released and the project had been publicly announced. One source explained that canceling the series at that stage would have created even more attention, saying, “It would have been very to pull the series after you drop the trailer — it would have been a huge story.”
According to the report, the main concern was not only potential criticism from fans but also the possibility of legal action from Jackson’s estate. The estate has previously taken legal action against documentaries and projects involving allegations against the singer, including HBO’s “Leaving Neverland” and ABC’s “The Last Days of Michael Jackson.”
Another source told Variety that Netflix was especially worried about the estate’s financial power, saying, “It was the fear of a lawsuit from the estate rather than the fans. [Netflix] was really scared of their financial muscle.”
However, Netflix denied that the company ever seriously considered canceling the series because of outside pressure. A spokesperson for the streamer told Variety, “Characterizations that Netflix reconsidered the release or changed course because of outside pressure are inaccurate. The series launched as planned and reached the Netflix Top 10 for three weeks.”
Despite the reported concerns, Netflix continued with the release and the documentary quickly found an audience. The series reportedly reached 17.8 million views within its first five days and became the number one show on Netflix in 61 countries. It also entered the Top 10 in 89 countries.
The documentary takes a different approach from many previous projects about Jackson by presenting multiple sides of the 2005 trial. It includes interviews with people who believe the accusations were true, as well as those who continue to defend Jackson, including former members of his legal and publicity teams. Two jurors from the trial also appear in the series to explain why they reached their decision.
The Jackson estate and fans have pushed back against projects that examine the allegations against the singer. A petition calling for Netflix to remove the documentary reportedly gained more than 188,000 signatures, while some fans claimed online that they canceled their subscriptions because of the release.
Variety also reported that Netflix took extra precautions before launching the series. The company reportedly limited communication about the project, provided security guidance to people involved, avoided early reviews, and decided not to organize interviews or major publicity events with the filmmakers.
Should Netflix have released ‘Michael Jackson: The Verdict’ despite the reported backlash concerns?
Even with the behind-the-scenes concerns, “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” became a major success for Netflix. The controversy surrounding the release only added more attention, helping the documentary become one of the platform’s most talked-about titles following its debut.
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