‘Leaving Neverland’ Sequel Sets Premiere Date; Bombshell Michael Jackson Documentary Back In March — But Without HBO

Leaving Neverland, the Emmy-winning Michael Jackson documentary, is set to return to screens with a sequel film next month.

Deadline first revealed five years ago that director Dan Reed was working on a follow-up to his 2019 documentary, in which Wade Robson and James Safechuck alleged that they were sexually assaulted by the King of Pop when they were minors.

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UK broadcaster Channel 4 has now confirmed that the sequel will premiere on March 18. HBO, which co-produced the first documentary, is not involved in the second installment after a legal battle with the Jackson estate. U.S. courts ruled that Leaving Neverland constituted a breach of a non-disparagement clause in a 1992 contract for an HBO concert special on Jackson’s Dangerous tour.

Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson captures the attempt by Safechuck, Robson and their legal representatives to seek justice for what happened. The hour-long film will detail the personal toll of going public with their accusations and the backlash from Jackson’s global army of fans.

With exclusive access to hearings, Channel 4 said the film will show the extent to which MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures fought to prevent James and Wade from having their day in court.

Leaving Neverland 2 is produced and directed by Reed through his production company Amos Pictures. Marguerite Gaudin is the producer, while Peter Haddon and Ben Hills served as editors. Iris Maor was head of production. Adam Vandermark is the Channel 4 commissioner. Sphere Abacus is handling international sales.

Leaving Neverland won an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, while it was also awarded a BAFTA TV award for Factual Series.

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