Netflix Will Not Release Controversial Prince Doc Following New Deal With Singer’s Estate
Netflix will not release Ezra Edelman’s Prince documentary following a new deal with the late singer’s estate, the two parties announced Thursday.
“The Prince Estate and Netflix have come to a mutual agreement that will allow the estate to develop and produce a new documentary featuring exclusive content from Prince’s archive,” a statement from both parties’ social media read. “As a result, the Netflix documentary will not be released.”
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A New York Times report last September alleged that Edelman’s project would accuse Prince of physical and emotional abuse. The documentary was reportedly nine hours, and featured interviews with dozens of Prince’s former business partners, lovers, friends and associates. Edelman is best known for O.J.: Made in America.
Among the allegations reported was an interview with Prince’s ex-lover Jill Jones, who spoke of a night in which he slapped and punched her in the face. Another past relationship, Susannah Melvoin, reportedly told filmmakers that after she moved in with the musician, he monitored her phone calls, told her not to leave the house and tried to keep her separated from her sister. In another interview, his ex-wife, Mayte Garcia, allegedly recalled being left alone after her and Prince’s child died.
Other interviews allege the famous singer exhibited a controlling nature and that he suffered abuse as a child. Additional sources, however, also recalled positive memories of the singer, which created what Edelman described as one of the hardest projects of his career.
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Edelman for comment on Thursday’s update.
At the time of the Times report, Primary Wave Music and Prince Legacy, two companies with ties to Prince’s assets, responded in a statement that read: “Those with the responsibility of carrying out Prince’s wishes shall honor his creativity and genius. We are working to resolve matters concerning the documentary so that his story may be told in a way that is factually correct and does not mischaracterize or sensationalize his life. We look forward to continuing to share Prince’s gifts and celebrate his profound and lasting impact on the world.”
Just before posting the joint statement with Netflix on Thursday, the Prince estate uploaded a video announcing “the vault has been freed.”
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