Why all of these sinister scenes were cut from the Michael Jackson biopic

The Michael Jackson biopic is smashing box office records after landing in cinemas, but getting to this point wasn’t straightforward. Multiple scenes had to be cut, with a new report revealing the extent of the reshoots. 

Michael was first announced all the way back in November 2019 when it was revealed producer Graham King had secured the rights to make a film about the singer. 

The finished product covers his life in the Jackson 5 through to the Bad tour, wrapping up in 1988 – five years before child sexual abuse allegations against Michael came to light. 

According to Bloomberg, the film’s original third act was supposed to cover the allegations. But the Jackson estate reportedly paid King an additional $10million and director Antoine Fuqua an extra $15million to rewrite and reshoot this part of the movie. 

The child sexual abuse accusations aren’t the only scenes that didn’t make the final cut, so here’s what the original draft included. 

Man in the Mirror scene after 1993 allegations

Sources close to production told Variety that the film originally included a scene in which Michael Jackson stares in the mirror as police lights flash behind him.

The incident was set to unfold in 1993, when the first wave of allegations were made public. They came from Evan Chandler, who accused the singer of sexually abusing his 13-year-old son, Jordan Chandler. 

Jackson denied the claims, and while the criminal investigation did not lead to charges, he settled a civil lawsuit out of court in 1994 for a reported $22 million, with no admission of guilt.

It was this settlement that meant the scene couldn’t be included in the film, as lawyers for the Jackson estate discovered a clause in the case that prohibited any mention of him and the allegations. 

The police’s Neverland Ranch raid

Another sequence that didn’t make it into the biopic was one in which police raid Neverland Ranch, the Santa Barbara County compound that served as the home and private amusement park of the late singer. 

In the Leaving Neverland documentary series, choreographer Wade Robson and actor James Safechuck accuse Jackson of abusing them at his Neverland estate. 

Years prior, in 2003, a second wave of allegations emerged when documentary filmmaker Martin Bashir placed focus on Michael’s relationship with a young cancer patient named Gavin Arvizo.

In the aftermath of the documentary, titled Living with Michael Jackson, authorities reopened the investigation and Arvizo eventually alleged he had been molested by the singer. 

As part of the investigation, police raided Michael’s properties including Neverland Ranch. Following a trial, the singer was later acquitted on all counts by a jury.

Presumably, this search was the incident included in the original film, although it could have been a search tied to the 1993 lawsuit. 

All scenes involving Diana Ross were cut and Kat Graham revealed why

The Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham shot multiple scenes as Diana Ross for Michael, only to have all her parts scrapped. In a recent Instagram Story, she revealed that it was down to legal reasons. 

pic.twitter.com/r8L9SROzB1

— Kat Graham (@KatGraham) April 23, 2026

“Ahead of the April 24 release of the Michael Jackson film, I want to share that certain legal considerations affected a few scenes, including ones I filmed with an incredible cast,” she wrote.  

“Unfortunately, these moments are no longer part of the final cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.”

Although Graham didn’t specify, Variety suggested that her part in the film was “likely axed” as part of the creative overhaul that took place.

Will these scenes ever see the light of day?

Even though they didn’t make the final cut, there’s a chance these scrapped scenes could be included or at least newly explored if a sequel takes place. 

Insiders told The Hollywood Reporter that writer John Logan has the basis for a script for a second movie. Meanwhile, Lionsgate film chair Adam Fogelson told the outlet, “We absolutely have more story to tell. 

“We have prepared for that moment. And if the audience reinforces that they’re ready for more, we’re prepared to give it to them sooner rather than later.”

Ultimately, the decision will be made based on box office performance and also fan reaction. King said, “We’re definitely kicking around some ideas. We’ll see what happens very soon, but right now, I have so much anxiety about people seeing this one.”

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Featured image credit: Universal Pictures/HBO