The world premiere of the biopic Michael is a hit in Berlin despite accusations of pedophilia

A third of the film, focused on the star’s legal troubles, has been removed, revealed the American magazine Variety.

” It was like a concert,” exclaimed Carina Floeth, 38, one of about 4,000 fans who were able to watch the world premiere in Berlin on Friday of the biopic about Michael Jackson. Thousands of fans showed up, indifferent to the accusations of pedophilia still facing the artist. With her friend who managed to get two tickets at the last minute on the day of the screening by participating in a local German radio lottery, this health insurance cash desk employee applauded, shouted, and danced in her seat during the approximately two-hour-long film. “It was also very sad, the story of his emancipation from his father,” she added.

“It was a very small part of Michael Jackson’s life, since the film stops in 1988 with the Bad Tour in London, and it goes by very quickly,” testified a very moved 31-year-old French educator named Megane.

Michael Jackson’s first legal troubles, accused of child abuse, began in 1993. According to the specialized site Variety, the film was originally supposed to explore the impact of these accusations on the star’s life, portrayed on screen by his nephew Jaafar Jackson.

A source close to the production, without giving their name, stated in Variety that a third of the film dedicated specifically to these legal troubles was removed. Jackson’s estate lawyers discovered a clause in the agreement made with the first teenager to file a complaint against the singer in 1993, Jordan Chandler, which prohibited any representation or mention of him in a film.

For the fans, this is not at all important. “He was declared innocent,” insists Megane. Dressed as Michael Jackson, in a jacket with large golden embroidery, 31-year-old aircraft mechanic Andy Escobar, who traveled specially from Houston to Berlin for the premiere, also obtained a surprise ticket by signing up on Universal’s website, the film’s distributor, and shares the same view: “We know it’s not true,” he says about the child abuse allegations.

In addition to the film’s premiere on Friday night, fans will be able to celebrate their idol in the German capital throughout the weekend, nearly two weeks before the film’s theatrical release.

Scheduled on Saturday are two panel discussions with the film’s team, an exhibition dedicated to the star, and a “get on the dance floor: the Michael Jackson party.”

Originally set for April 18, 2025, the release of “Michael” was postponed to October 3 before being finally pushed back to spring 2026. The film will be released in French theaters on April 22.

Dying at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009 after receiving an excessive dose of propofol, Michael Jackson faced multiple allegations of sexual abuse of children during his lifetime.

Despite being acquitted in 2005 in a criminal trial for child sexual abuse, he was never able to fully restore his image during his lifetime. In 2013, 2014, and in March 2026, other alleged victims brought civil suits against him. While several legal proceedings are still ongoing, the artist has never been convicted, either criminally or civilly.

According to Variety, Lionsgate studio is expecting to earn $700 million from the film, which would place it far ahead of all similar productions, except for “Bohemian Rhapsody” ($910 million).

And the story may not end there. “At the end of the film,” notes Megane, “it is implied that there will be a second part.”