Prince documentary director speaks out on Netflix cancellation: “It’s a joke”
The director of the axed Prince documentary has mentioned it’s a “joke” that Netflix selected to cancel the undertaking.
Final month, the streaming large introduced {that a} long-awaited nine-part sequence exploring the life and profession of the music icon had been deserted, in favour of a brand new “mutual settlement” with the Prince property. As a substitute, the brand new deal would permit Netflix to “develop and produce a brand new documentary that includes unique content material from Prince’s archive”.
The director of the cancelled undertaking, Ezra Edelman, who’s finest recognized for his work on the O.J.: Made In America documentary, has spoken out for the primary time in regards to the choice to shelve the sequence.
Throughout an look on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, he mentioned: “It’s a joke… I can’t get previous this – the short-sightedness of a bunch of individuals whose curiosity is their very own backside line. They’re afraid of his humanity.”
Edelman defined that he had been despatched an inventory of editorial adjustments Prince’s representatives, which hampered his capability to inform the story as he wished. “You suppose I’ve any curiosity in placing out a movie that’s factually inaccurate?” he mentioned.
Addressing how he meant to stability his inventive genius with private perception, he added: “Every thing about who you consider he’s, is on this film. You get to wash in his genius. And but you must confront his humanity. Folks had points with how he handled folks – he was emotionally abusive, he was bodily abusive.”
See clips from the podcast beneath.
Oscar-winning director Ezra Edelman speaks for the primary time about Netflix and Prince’s property mutually agreeing to not launch his documentary.
“It is a joke. … I am unable to get previous this — the short-sightedness of a bunch of individuals whose curiosity is their very own backside line. They’re… pic.twitter.com/Q8xsIsuRsY
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) March 4, 2025
“There’s a number of individuals who informed me that, based mostly on Prince’s mind, he principally nearly felt that he was being punished for his sins. Folks had points with how he handled folks — he was emotionally abusive, he was bodily abusive.”
Director Ezra Edelman explains the advanced… pic.twitter.com/6ypTAX1AL1
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) March 4, 2025
Edelman had been engaged on the undertaking for the previous 4 years, after changing Ava DuVernay, and he had been given in depth entry to Prince’s archives.
In July final yr, nevertheless, it was reported that Edelman’s work had been blocked and was “lifeless within the water” after a number of disputes with Prince’s property. The late artist’s staff claimed a primary reduce of the Netflix movie was stuffed with “dramatic” factual inaccuracies and “sensationalised” renderings of sure occasions from his life, in response to Variety.
The deal for the documentary additionally known as for a six-hour sequence however Edelman reportedly delivered 9 hours, which was mentioned to be a violation of the settlement.
Prince died of a fentanyl overdose in 2016, and as he had no will, his six heirs had been left to inherit equal components in his property. It sparked a protracted authorized battle over how the property could be managed going ahead.