Leaving Neverland, the Emmy Award-winning documentary from HBO and director Dan Reed, is getting a surprise sequel. The controversial and harrowing documentary about the sexual assault claims laid out against Michael Jackson will return to screens in a movie called Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, but without the HBO documentary team involved. In fact, the reason why they're not involved may surprise you.
In a new report from Deadline, the trade publication confirmed that Leaving Neverland 2 will premiere in the United Kingdom on Channel 4 on March 18, 2025. The film will continue to follow Wade Robson and James Safechuck -- the at-the-time minors who claimed that the much-beloved King of Pop (Jackson) sexually assaulted them -- but this time in the aftermath of those accusations coming to light.
What Is 'Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson' About And Why Isn't HBO Involved? Close
Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson is said to document Safechuck, Robson, and their legal representatives' attempts to seek justice for what happened to them as children. The hour-long film, according to representatives of Channel 4, will detail not only the professional, but the personal toll, of going public with accusations against one of the most beloved musical figures of all time. The documentary will highlight the backlash from Jackson's die-hard (and worldwide) fans, as well as the Jackson Estate.
According to Deadline, Reed and his documentary crew had exclusive access to the hearings, which will feature prominently in the film. Broadcaster Channel 4 also claimed that the film will show the extent to which MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures fought to prevent Safechuck and Robson from taking their claims to court at all.
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Perhaps more interesting is the reason behind HBO's departure from the project despite its Emmy Award-winning status. Well, that's where things get interesting: you see, HBO was sued by the Jackson Estate, claiming that the first documentary was a breach of a non-disparagement clause in a contract for an HBO concert special made about Jackson's Dangerous tour from 1992. The US courts sided with the Estate.
At the time of the lawsuit, Jackson Estate lawyers Howard Weitzman and Jonathan Steinsapir said:
"The trial judge and now the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals have unanimously rejected HBO's arguments. In the court's own words, HBO 'agreed that it would not make any disparaging remarks concerning Jackson.' It's time for HBO to answer for its violation of its obligations to Michael Jackson."
It should also be noted that the judges did agree with HBO that the estate's legal move could be seen as "frivolous" as they asserted in their motion for dismissal, but that it was not under the courts' purview to decide what was or was not frivolous, only to validate that the 1992 contract clause was still in effect, years after the contract was completed and following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009.
Enter: Channel 4 to scoop up what HBO could no longer legally handle. Leaving Neverland 2 was produced and directed by Dan Reed and his production company, Amos Pictures. Marguerite Gaudin produced the film, while Peter Haddon and Ben Hills served as editors. Iris Maor was head of production, with Adam Vandermark commissioning the project for Channel 4. Considering that, in addition to its Emmy win, the original documentary also won a BAFTA TV award for Best Factual Series, this will probably not be the last we hear from the dark corners of Neverland Ranch. Just, please, stop asking Macauley Culkin about it.
Leaving Neverland TV-MA Documentary Music History Release Date March 3, 2019 Network HBO Directors Dan Reed Cast Michael Jackson Self (archive footage) Wade Robson Self James Safechuck
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