The TRUTH About Michael Jackson as Biopic Sets Records, & Lively's Legal FAIL, with Geragos & Murphy

The new Michael Jackson biopic, 'Michael,' has achieved significant box office success, grossing nearly $600 million. This success is partly attributed to the film's decision to end before the child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson became public. This narrative choice, reportedly influenced by a settlement clause from the 1993 Jordy Chandler case and issues with other accusers, allows audiences to engage with his artistic legacy without confronting the controversies.

The movie 'Michael' has already grossed nearly $600 million worldwide. The film ends before Michael Jackson was accused of sexual abuse of children. This was not the first cut, but was changed due to a clause in the 1990s settlement with Jordy Chandler and other accuser-related 'machinations'.

The 'Leaving Neverland' documentary, which featured accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck, is heavily criticized for significant credibility flaws. Robson, who previously testified under oath that Jackson never abused him, later changed his story and was caught lying about writing a book detailing abuse. Safechuck's account of abuse in the Neverland train station was contradicted by construction records, showing the station was built years after his alleged abuse period. The documentary's director attempted to shift the dates of abuse, effectively undermining his own witness.

Wade Robson testified under oath in 1993 and 2003 that Michael never laid a hand on him, then had a 'very different story' in 'Leaving Neverland'. Robson was caught lying under oath about writing a book alleging molestation. James Safechuck claimed abuse from 1988-1992 in the Neverland train station, but construction permits show it wasn't built until 1994. The director, Dan Reed, tried to claim the dates of abuse were in dispute, effectively accusing Safechuck of perjury.

Michael Jackson endured severe physical and potentially sexual abuse from his father, Joe Jackson, during his childhood. This included beatings with an iron cord, sometimes after being stripped and oiled. These traumatic experiences contributed to Jackson's fragile mental state, self-medication, and childlike demeanor as an adult, which his defense attorney, Mark Geragos, observed firsthand during his legal battles.

Michael Jackson described his father, Joe, beating him with an iron cord, sometimes after making him 'strip nude first' and 'oil you down'. He stated he 'hated him for it' and that his mother would scream, 'Joe, you're going to kill him.' Geragos noted Jackson was 'fragile' and 'self-medicating' during his trial, recalling an overdose incident.

Blake Lively's legal team is attempting to portray her recent settlement as a significant victory, emphasizing her ability to pursue attorney's fees from a dismissed defamation counterclaim. However, legal experts Mark Geragos and Matt Murphy dismiss this as 'pure spin.' They argue that Lively's main sexual harassment claims were 'gutted' by the court due to a lack of a signed contract, and the attorney's fees are a minor, expected outcome, likely covered by insurance. The settlement is seen as a strategic move by her lawyers to avoid a potential legal malpractice lawsuit.

Blake Lively's lawyer stated she is 'ecstatic' with the settlement, allowing her to pursue her 'most potent and powerful claim' for attorney's fees. Geragos countered that her claims were 'gutted like a rainbow trout' and that the fees are for an anti-SLAPP motion, likely paid by insurance. Geragos theorized the private mediation was a 'sophisticated legal strategy to insulate the big firm from getting sued for the tens of millions of dollars for what could have been argued was the… missteps by her lawyers'.