Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Six-Part Prince Documentary Scrapped by Netflix

Northfoto / Shutterstock.com
Northfoto / Shutterstock.com

The long-awaited and highly controversial Netflix documentary series on Prince, directed by Ezra Edelman, has officially been shelved, following considerable dispute and significant developments in the narrative surrounding its production. Announced originally in 2018, the series promised a deep dive into Prince's life, using rich archival materials alongside interviews with people who knew him well. Despite initial agreements, the project faced backlash over its portrayal of the musical icon. The Prince estate objected strongly to what they described as “sensationalized” depictions and “dramatic” factual inaccuracies, which included controversial allegations about Prince’s personal life, including accusations of abuse from former romantic partners. Such representations triggered contention, eventually contributing to the project's cancellation.

The allegations of abuse, as reported by the New York Times Magazine, played a significant role in the project's downfall. Early agreements with the estate, which initially supported the project, crumbled under the weight of these discordant interpretations. The estate, unhappy with this portrayal, described the documentary as misrepresentative of Prince, citing that it had been developed under prior representations that no longer held. As these disputes unraveled, the Prince estate and Netflix jointly decided not to proceed with the release. Instead, they announced plans to allow the Prince Estate to “develop and produce a new documentary featuring exclusive content from Prince’s archive.”

Following this cancellation, the estate posted online that “The Vault Has Been Freed,” symbolizing a new chapter in handling Prince's narrative. This next endeavor is poised to delve into exclusive archival materials, promising a different insight perhaps better aligned with the cherished memory of Prince and his indelible impact on music. Prince's estate has urged that future biographical renderings be reflective of his legacy's depth and the complexities of his persona, cultivating authentic storytelling that balances Prince’s personal intricacies with his remarkable professional accomplishments.

Beyond this documentary, plans continue for other creative projects around Prince's legacy. Eminent director Ryan Coogler is involved in developing a jukebox musical that highlights Prince's musical contributions. This dynamic and multifaceted approach to Prince's posthumous output, combining cinematic and musical projects, reflects the broad influence he continues to have on the entertainment industry. As these projects unfold, the profound impact that Prince had on music and culture continues to flourish, celebrated in ways that likely resonate with more genuine interpretations of his life's story.

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

LEFT PHOTO: Thom Yorke of British rock band The Smile performs on the Montreux Jazz Lab stage during the 56th Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF), in Montreux, Switzerland, 12 July 2022. The festival runs from 01 to 16 July and features about 500 concerts. RIGHT PHOTO: Matt Biddulph from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Thom Yorke & Mark Pritchard Share New Song Prior to Album Release

Thom Yorke, the renowned Radiohead frontman, and Mark Pritchard, an eminent figure in the electronic music scene, have once again…

Lamb of God in concert in Edinburgh - Chris Adler Various

Chris Adler Opens Up About Getting Fired from Lamb of God

Chris Adler, once a formidable presence behind the drums of the celebrated metal band Lamb of God, has unveiled the…

SMOKEY ROBINSON SMOKEY ROBINSON IN CONCERT - 1983

Former Housekeepers Accuse Smokey Robinson of Sexual Assault

Renowned Motown icon Smokey Robinson finds himself at the center of a highly publicized controversy following allegations of sexual assault…

LEFT PHOTO: JOE SATRIANI performs with Sammy Hagar during Stagecoach Music Festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California RIGHT PHOTO: Musician - STEVE VAI on stage with the BEAT, playing King Crimson hits from the 1970's at The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA, November 18, 2024. The BEAT is a super group comprised of Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Danny Carey, and Steve Vai...Credit Image cr Scott Mitchell/ZUMA Pess

Joe Satriani & Steve Vai Join Forces

The collaboration between Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, two of the most renowned figures in rock guitar history, has culminated…

James Hetfield of Metallica performs with band members on stage during their concert in Madrid, Spain, 12 July 2024. Metallica concert in Madrid, Spain - 12 Jul 2024

Metallica Fans Pack Lane Stadium For 2025 Tour

Thousands of dedicated fans flooded Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium on the night of May 7, 2025, as ongoing excitement highlighted…

Of Mice and Men - Alan Ashby Open Air Chicago Music Festival, Illinois, USA - 15 Jul 2016

Of Mice & Men Shares New Single

Southern California’s metalcore band, Of Mice & Men, has made a striking return with their latest single “Another Miracle,” marking…

Lorde The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Benefit Celebrating the Opening Of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, Manhattan, New York, United States - 05 May 2025

Lorde Unveils 2025 Tour

Lorde is set to captivate her global fan base once again with an extensive international tour, aptly named the Ultrasound…

Stone Temple Pilots - Dean DeLeo Louder Than Life Festival, Day 2, Louisville, USA - 28 Sep 2019

Stone Temple Pilots’ Dean DeLeo & Singer/Guitarist Pete Shoulder Collab on New Album

Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo has joined forces with British vocalist Pete Shoulder in a new musical collaboration under…

Rock band: The Who - lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon Pop Band: The Who - John Entwistle, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon and Roger Daltrey - 1965

The Who Announces 2025 North American Farewell Tour

The iconic rock band, The Who, has announced their North American farewell tour, poignantly titled “The Song Is Over,” marking…