Colman Domingo Defends Michael

"“[The movie] has become an examination of how Michael became Michael, before we deal with anything else,” Domingo told The Hollywood Reporter in today's cover story. “Everyone thinks there's one way to tell his story, and there isn't. One can't deny Michael's genius and his extraordinary legacy in the music industry.”"

"Domingo also acknowledged reporting that thefilm was rewritten after it finished shooting. The film originally claimed the Chandler family, who accused Michael Jackson of child molestation, were making it up for money. The Jackson estate realized after shooting that Jackson's settlement deal with the Chandlers barred the estate from ever depicting the Chandlers on film."

"“This was not an easy shoot, I will not shy away from that,” Domingo told THR. He added, “Every time the film was changing in some way, shape or form, there were discussions with me just to make sure that we're clear about the story we're telling.”"

"Now, Domingo has to decide whether to join for an expected second film, which would have to deal with those accusations in some way. “I will want to know what story we will be telling in part two,” he says. So will the Chandlers' lawyer, probably."

The film earns millions at the box office, but concerns remain about what it might have been. Colman Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson, defends the film’s focus on Michael’s development up to the Bad era in 1988, before later accusations. He says there is no single way to tell Michael’s story and emphasizes his genius and legacy. Domingo acknowledges that the film was rewritten after shooting. The original version claimed the Chandler family was fabricating allegations for money, but the Jackson estate later recognized that a settlement barred depicting the Chandlers on film. Domingo describes ongoing discussions to keep the story clear. He will decide on a potential second film based on what story will be told, and the Chandlers’ lawyer likely will as well.

Read at Vulture