A long-awaited documentary about the legendary musician Prince has been unexpectedly canceled by Netflix after more than five years of development.
The streaming giant had initially planned to release the in-depth, nine-hour film exploring the life and career of the Purple Rain icon, but allegations of abuse against the late artist—along with a conflict with his estate—led to the project’s demise.
The Prince Estate Takes Control
In a recent statement, the Prince Estate announced a major shift in direction.
Rather than proceeding with Netflix’s documentary, they revealed plans to develop their own film using exclusive content from Prince’s extensive archives.
The estate shared the news alongside a video on social media captioned, “The Vault Has Been Freed.”
The decision to scrap the Netflix documentary stemmed from concerns raised by the new executors of Prince’s estate, who reviewed an early version of the film.
According to reports, the estate objected to certain parts of the documentary, particularly those involving allegations of emotional and physical abuse.
Shocking Allegations Against Prince
The controversy surrounding the Netflix documentary intensified after a New York Times Magazine article revealed that the film included interviews with former partners of Prince, who accused him of abusive behavior.
One of his ex-girlfriends, Jill Jones, claimed the singer punched her repeatedly in 1984. Another, Susannah Melvoin, alleged that Prince controlled her movements and restricted her contact with her sister while they lived together.
The documentary also explored Prince’s difficult childhood, including claims that he had suffered abuse himself.
Filmmaker Ezra Edelman, who was behind the project, defended his work, stating that he aimed to present a truthful and multi-faceted portrayal of the musician.
However, the estate strongly objected, leading to a clash over the documentary’s content.
Netflix and the Director Face Pushback
When Edelman initially took on the project, he was assured by Netflix that he would have creative control, with the estate only reviewing the film for factual accuracy.
However, after screening the documentary, estate attorney L. Londell McMillan reportedly submitted 17 pages of suggested edits.
Edelman agreed to some changes but refused to compromise on others.
Estate representatives later criticized the documentary for being “sensationalized,” claiming it failed to provide a balanced perspective on Prince’s legacy.
Charles Spicer, a close friend and former business advisor of Prince, defended the late singer in a since-deleted social media post, saying, “We have a duty to honor and protect his legacy with a story that fairly shows his complexities as well as his greatness. #no9hourhitjob.”
Honoring a Musical Icon’s Legacy
Despite the controversy, Prince’s influence on music remains undeniable.
The Minneapolis-born superstar, whose real name was Prince Rogers Nelson, sold over 100 million records worldwide and left behind an enormous archive of unreleased music.
Since his passing in 2016 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park estate, multiple posthumous albums have been released, keeping his legacy alive.
Known for blending funk, rock, R&B, soul, and jazz into his music, Prince revolutionized the industry with hits like Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette, and Sign O’ the Times.
He won seven Grammy Awards, received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.
What’s Next for the Prince Estate?
With the Netflix documentary scrapped, fans are left wondering what the estate’s new documentary will reveal.
While there’s no official release date yet, one thing is clear—Prince’s story is far from over, and his influence will continue to shape the music world for generations to come.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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