"Leaving Neverland," the groundbreaking 2019 documentary that delved into the alleged childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by Michael Jackson, is making a comeback with its sequel, albeit steering clear of HBO's airwaves. Dan Reed's initial film garnered immense popularity on the platform, even securing a Primetime Emmy for Best Documentary or Nonfiction Special. However, the sequel, titled "Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson," has found its home on YouTube in the United States. Below lies a comprehensive overview of this anticipated follow-up and the entangled legal battles.
The original "Leaving Neverland" vividly recounted the harrowing accounts of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claimed they were sexually abused by Michael Jackson during their childhood. Its sequel continues their journey as they strive for justice, suing Jackson's companies—under the control of his estate—and aiming for a court trial. Presently, the court case is slated to commence in California in 2026.
The full-length, 53-minute documentary is now accessible on YouTube. In the United Kingdom, it premiered on March 18 on Channel 4, captivating audiences.
After the release of "Leaving Neverland" in 2020, the Michael Jackson estate filed a $100 million lawsuit against HBO, asserting that the network breached a 1992 non-disparagement agreement. Both parties reached a settlement in 2024, but according to Puck's Matt Belloni, as part of the agreement, HBO removed the original "Leaving Neverland" from its Max platform.
Dan Reed, the British filmmaker behind both documentaries, admitted that premiering the sequel on YouTube wasn't his preferred choice. "I would have cherished the opportunity to release this with HBO," Reed shared with Variety on March 13. "However, it wasn't feasible. Clearly, it's linked to the lawsuit or arbitration dispute. But HBO doesn't inform me of such developments. It all unfolds behind closed doors, leaving me in the dark." Nonetheless, Reed seemed more optimistic about a YouTube release compared to a streaming project. Speaking to Deadline on March 13, he remarked, "It feels as though perhaps the streaming world is more cautious when it comes to sensitive, political, and controversial topics that could rile people up. To avoid alienating a vast subscriber base, one cannot afford to venture into territory that isn't utterly safe."
This sequel is envisioned as part of a trilogy, with the third installment promising to encapsulate the trial. Reed told Variety that he views this film, the second in the series, as "a bridge between a highly publicized beginning and what I hope will be a dramatically compelling conclusion."
