Netflix weighed pulling the documentary “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” a week before its June 3 release over fears of a lawsuit from the pop singer’s estate, according to reporting by Variety. The three-part docuseries re-examines Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, which ended in his acquittal on all charges, including child molestation. Despite internal anxiety at the streamer, the project launched as scheduled and climbed into the Netflix Top 10.
Higher-ups at Netflix experienced cold feet just days before the planned drop, according to two sources who spoke to Variety on condition of anonymity. Executives feared potential blowback from the Michael Jackson estate, which is known for aggressive litigation, alongside pressure from vocal fans of the late singer. One source told Variety that fear of financial muscle and a lawsuit drove the hesitation rather than concern over fan reactions.
A Netflix spokesperson disputed claims that the company reconsidered the release due to outside pressure, telling Variety that characterizations of a changed course are inaccurate. The spokesperson noted that the series launched as planned and reached the Netflix Top 10 for three weeks, accumulating 17.8 million views in its first five days and hitting No. 1 in 61 countries.
Legal Precedents Involving the Michael Jackson Estate
The estate’s history of legal action against television networks is well-documented in the entertainment industry. The estate previously sued HBO over the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland,” ultimately leading to the film being pulled from HBO Max in 2024. Prior to that action, the estate sued ABC in 2018 over “The Last Days of Michael Jackson,” which concluded with an out-of-court settlement between the parties.
Despite those precedents, Netflix has not heard from the estate regarding the new docuseries, according to Variety. A spokesperson for the estate did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Sources indicated that while Netflix received numerous fan emails complaining about the documentary, the company eased its stance after discovering that several of the messages originated from automated bots.
Production Precautions and Public Reception
To mitigate potential risks, Netflix implemented strict security and distribution protocols around the project. The streamer announced the documentary’s existence just two weeks prior to its debut, issued security briefings to production staff, and required all correspondence regarding the project to go through a single dedicated email address that concealed sender identities. Netflix also declined all advance reviews and filmmaker interviews.
The lack of traditional marketing led to an unusual release strategy. According to sources cited by Variety, producers were barred from speaking publicly, resulting in a complete absence of promotional publicity. Nevertheless, the series found a massive global audience.
Directed by Nick Green and produced by Candle True Stories, the docuseries features first-hand testimony from both supporters and critics of the singer. Interviewees include long-time Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman, publicist Raymone Bain, and two jurors from the 2005 trial in Santa Barbara County. Neither accuser Gavin Arvizo nor his family participated in the project.
Audience reception has been deeply polarized. A Change.org petition demanding the removal of the series has gathered more than 188,000 signatures, and social media users on platforms like Reddit reported canceling their subscriptions. The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at 7%, while critical reviews place the series approval rating at 82%.
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