The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has drawn sharp criticism for its departure from historical facts, including its portrayal of the singer's chimpanzee companion and the omission of three of his nine children.
According to early fact-checking reports, the film invents scenes with CGI chimpanzees and ignores the existence of real siblings, opting instead for a sanitized narrative. Critics argue that the biopic prioritizes entertainment over truth, potentially whitewashing Jackson's controversial legacy.
The decision to eliminate three of the Jackson siblings from the story has particularly angered family members and historians, who point out that the erased children played significant roles in the singer's life. As one source noted, "This isn't just a minor detail—it's rewriting history."
"The film creates a world where Janet Jackson doesn't exist, and Bubbles the chimp is replaced by a cartoon," a reviewer remarked. "That's not a biopic; it's fan fiction."
The director has defended the choices as necessary for storytelling, but many argue that such liberties undermine the film's credibility. As the release date approaches, the debate over Michael's accuracy is intensifying.