Netflix Cancels Highly Anticipated Prince Documentary Amid Controversy

[Social Media]

 

Netflix has pulled the plug on an in-depth documentary that aimed to provide an unprecedented look into the life of music icon Prince. The decision has left the film’s director, Ezra Edelman, speaking out against what he sees as an attempt to control the narrative surrounding the legendary artist.  

 

Edelman, who won an Academy Award in 2017 for his extensive eight-hour documentary *O.J.: Made in America*, was initially brought on board in 2018 to direct a sprawling nine-hour project on Prince. This followed the artist’s tragic passing in 2016 at the age of 57 from an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Paisley Park estate in Minnesota. The film was set to replace an earlier version that had been in development under director Ava DuVernay.  

 

Despite spending five years working on the project, Edelman’s documentary ultimately hit a dead end. Reports emerged that Prince’s estate had raised objections, citing multiple "factual inaccuracies" within the film. More controversially, it was suggested that the documentary included allegations of abuse against the musician.  

 

The uncertainty surrounding the project was put to rest in early 2025 when Netflix officially announced its cancellation. Instead, the streaming giant revealed that they had reached a deal with Prince’s estate to create a new documentary. According to the estate, Edelman’s film contained “sensationalized” accounts, leading to a standoff that effectively buried the project.  

 

Edelman, however, has pushed back against the claims. Speaking on a podcast, he expressed his frustration over what he sees as interference from the estate. "Here’s the one thing they’re allowed to do: check the film for factual inaccuracies. Guess what? They came back with a 17-page document full of editorial issues, not factual issues," Edelman explained. "You think I have any interest in putting out a film that’s factually inaccurate?"  

 

According to Edelman, the dispute was less about accuracy and more about control, something he believes was a defining trait of Prince himself. "This is reflective of Prince himself, who was notoriously [one of] the most famous control freaks in the history of artists," he said.  

 

Edelman also pointed out the irony of the situation, recalling how Prince famously battled Warner Bros. over artistic freedom. "Prince was somebody that fought for artistic freedom, who didn’t want to be held down by Warner Bros., who he believed was stifling his output," Edelman noted. "Now, in this case, it’s like—I’m not Prince, but I worked really hard making something, and now my art’s being stifled and thrown away."  

 

When Edelman took on the project, he was granted access to Prince’s vast archives, which he described as "a gift." He passionately defended his work, emphasizing the depth and complexity of the film. "A nine-hour treatment about an artist who was, by the way, f***ing brilliant. Everything about who you believe he is, is in this movie. You get to bathe in his genius. And yet, you also have to confront his humanity," Edelman said.  

 

Back in September, *New York Times* reporter Sasha Weiss—one of the few who had the opportunity to see the documentary—described it as a “cursed masterpiece.” She also outlined some of the more controversial claims made in the film, which may have contributed to its cancellation.  

 

One particularly shocking moment in the documentary featured an interview with Jill Jones, an ex-lover of Prince, who described an altercation that allegedly took place in 1984. According to Jones, she slapped Prince after he kissed a friend in a hotel room. In response, she claimed, Prince said, "B***h, this ain’t no f***ing movie," before proceeding to punch her in the face multiple times.  

 

Another ex-lover, Susannah Melvoin, recounted how Prince sought to control her movements after she moved in with him, allegedly monitoring her phone calls and discouraging her from leaving the house or seeing her sister.  

 

The revelations within the documentary, combined with the objections from Prince’s estate, ultimately doomed the project. Now, with Netflix moving forward with a different version in collaboration with the estate, it remains to be seen whether any of Edelman’s work will ever be made public.

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail  2025-03-14

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

44 minutes ago, Social Media said:

"A nine-hour treatment about an artist who was, by the way, f***ing brilliant. Everything about who you believe he is, is in this movie. You get to bathe in his genius.

Can someone please explain why Prince was a "genius" Far as I remember he was a musician that put out a few nice tunes, but there is nothing genius about that. Successful musicians are not exactly a rarity.

[JonnyF]

Sounds like it was too factually accurate for Netflix.

 

They prefer their documentaries to be works of fiction, like the one starring Harry and Meghan.

[Fat is a type of crazy]

17 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Can someone please explain why Prince was a "genius" Far as I remember he was a musician that put out a few nice tunes, but there is nothing genius about that. Successful musicians are not exactly a rarity.

To me he was. His albums from Dirty Mind to Love Sexy were pretty magical and special. Next few ok too before he got a bit rote and boring . Could wax lyrical about them individually but up to you to have a look if interested. Good live too. 

[thaibeachlovers]

21 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

To me he was. His albums from Dirty Mind to Love Sexy were pretty magical and special. Next few ok too before he got a bit rote and boring . Could wax lyrical about them individually but up to you to have a look if interested. Good live too. 

No thanks. His red beret was reasonably enjoyable, but I don't remember anything else he made being played. I'm way more a Chuck Berry fan than one that thought he was a symbol ( was he ahead of the movement to be whatever one wants to be, a cat a dog, the opposite sex, a symbol? )

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Sounds like it was too factually accurate for Netflix.

 

They prefer their documentaries to be works of fiction, like the one starring Harry and Meghan.

Obsessed much?

[proton]

Another genius, icon, legend and super star who was really just a mediocre performer with a massive ego. They wont be playing his material in 50 years.

[impulse]

Pack into an hour or less and I may watch it.  8 hours?  No thanks.

 

What do they figure is the market size of people willing to watch 8 hours?  It's more like a vanity project that's bound to lose money.

 

[SillySam]

11 minutes ago, proton said:

Another genius, icon, legend and super star who was really just a mediocre performer with a massive ego. They wont be playing his material in 50 years.

 

Very strange then that his Super Bowl halftime show is at the top of most lists of the greatest halftime shows of all time.

 

https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-super-bowl-halftime-shows

 

[JonnyF]

3 hours ago, proton said:

Another genius, icon, legend and super star who was really just a mediocre performer with a massive ego. They wont be playing his material in 50 years.

 

I thought he was a pretty good performer and quite charismatic. 

 

But then, so are some of the Philipino bands on Sukhumvit.

 

His music was bang average IMO. Never understood all the fuss. Sounds like he was a real prima donna. 

[Patong2021]

Prince was held in regard by his peers and considered one of the greatest musicians of his period. He played 27 different instruments and if people like Eric Clapton call you the greatest guitarist, then  you probably have some talent. Most people are unaware that he often played many of the instruments on his recordings. His catalogue is thick. His business acumen was genius. He is the man who broke Warner's stranglehold on  musicians.

[BritManToo]

I thought this was gonna be about Andrew or Harry!

[Nick Carter icp]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Can someone please explain why Prince was a "genius" Far as I remember he was a musician that put out a few nice tunes, but there is nothing genius about that. Successful musicians are not exactly a rarity.

 

 

[candide]

10 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Prince was held in regard by his peers and considered one of the greatest musicians of his period. He played 27 different instruments and if people like Eric Clapton call you the greatest guitarist, then  you probably have some talent. Most people are unaware that he often played many of the instruments on his recordings. His catalogue is thick. His business acumen was genius. He is the man who broke Warner's stranglehold on  musicians.

He was one the best for this kind of music (broadly speaking funk/dance). One of JB's successor.

 

He composed most of his songs and also often played all instruments in his studio records.

[WDSmart]

I was not a big fan of Prince, but I do think any documentary on his life should be as accurate as possible. Anyway, I always take anything I see or read anywhere now with a "grain of salt." In other words, I watch or read them, enjoy them if I can, but never ever take them as absolute fact. 

[candide]

12 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 

Thank you for this gem, I never heard it before.

[Watawattana]

48 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I thought this was gonna be about Andrew or Harry!

So did I!!

[Packer]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Can someone please explain why Prince was a "genius"

 

He's widely reported as having an IQ of 149, which is classified as a genius. You're welcome. 

[Watawattana]

His general music style isn't my thing, but I did listen to a lot of his stuff as it was better than the rest, and I really respected his musical ability and lyric writing.  And I liked his collaboration with Sheena Easton.  It's all personal taste though.  I'm off to see a band called Bloodywood in Japan in May, might be slightly different to Prince...

[connda]

Sad.  I was a fan.  Still am.  Amazing musician. Would love to see a supportive documentary highlighting his work and contribution to music.
RIP.

[connda]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I thought this was gonna be about Andrew or Harry!

I thought it would turn into being about Trump.

"What??? I did what??? Oh! fudge."

[connda]

58 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

 

Dude had freakishly long fingers for a short guy.

[proton]

No doubt it would have glossed over the drug use as did a complete unknown about Dylan. Only booze and fags were depicted when he wrote most of his early hits, almost all of them, when taking speed. The Dylan film was far better than the soft porn trash which won best film at the Oscars.

[Nick Carter icp]

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

No thanks. His red beret was reasonably enjoyable, 

 

    Raspberry Beret was a bit better than Red beret, or was you getting confused and thinking about Chuck Berry ?