Prince Documentary Delayed Amid Factual Inaccuracies
A documentary about the life and work of music legend Prince has hit a roadblock, with Prince’s estate claiming the project is “dead in the water” due to factual inaccuracies and sensationalized retellings of his personal life. According to Variety, the documentary, directed by Ezra Edelman, was set to be released on Netflix, but has been delayed.
The documentary had been in the works for four years, with Ava DuVernay initially attached to direct. However, Edelman took over the project, and sources inform that the inaccuracies were not related to sensitive topics such as drug use or sexual issues, but rather issues of “control” and the estate’s dissatisfaction with the final product.
The estate reportedly felt the documentary was “not positive” and Edelman’s nine-hour cut, which exceeded the agreed-upon six-hour agreement, allowed the estate to withhold music rights. Despite the delay, Netflix and Edelman maintain a final cut of the documentary.
Meanwhile, fans of Prince can look forward to a Broadway musical adaptation of the film “Purple Rain.” The stage adaptation, set to be written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, will be based on the original screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn. The project aims to honor Prince’s legacy and bring his beloved story to life on stage.
The news comes as a surprise to fans who were eagerly anticipating the documentary, but it’s clear that the estate is committed to presenting an accurate and respectful portrayal of Prince’s life and work.