Spike Lee Defends ‘Michael’ From Critics Who Think Child Sexual Abuse Allegation Should Have Been Included: ‘Doesn’t Work in the Timeline of the Film’

Home Film News May 3, 2026 10:29am PT Spike Lee Defends ‘Michael’ From Critics Who Think Child Sexual Abuse Allegation Should Have Been Included: ‘Doesn’t Work in the Timeline of the Film’ By Jack Dunn Plus Icon Jack Dunn Latest Beau Starr, ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Halloween’ Franchise Actor, Dies at 81 19 hours ago Pete Hegseth and Kid Rock High Five and Fly Apache Helicopters in Pre-Show Hype Video for Freedom 250 Tour 22 hours ago Barry Manilow Postpones Las Vegas Dates, but Says He’s Making ‘Great Progress’ in Cancer Recovery 23 hours ago See All Getty / Lionsgate During a recent interview with CNN, Spike Lee defended Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” from critics who think the pop legend’s allegation of child sexual abuse should’ve been included in the film. Lee, who saw the movie “twice” and “loved it,” said that since “Michael” ends in ‘88, before the first accusation hit in ‘93, it’s pointless to complain about the omission since that part of Jackson’s life “doesn’t work in the timeline of the film.” Related Stories Rachel Zegler's 'Evita' Revival Sets Broadway Run