Planned Nine-Hour Film Cancelled Amidst Disputes Over Content and Accuracy

The estate of legendary funk musician Prince has successfully halted the release of a nine-hour Netflix documentary about his life and career. The film, directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Ezra Edelman—best known for OJ: Made in America—was reportedly completed but will now remain unreleased following a dispute over its portrayal of the iconic artist.

In a statement issued to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Netflix confirmed the decision, saying:

“The Prince Estate and Netflix have come to a mutual agreement that will allow the estate to develop and produce a new documentary featuring exclusive content from Prince’s archive. As a result, the Netflix documentary will not be released.”

 

A Documentary Years in the Making—Then Shelved

Edelman’s documentary was years in the making. He had been granted rare and unprecedented access to Prince’s personal archive, The Vault, following an undisclosed multimillion-dollar deal. At the time, Prince’s estate was being managed by a bank, which had assured the filmmaker that there would be no editorial interference.

The film reportedly featured a treasure trove of intimate details, including interviews with Prince’s close associates—former bandmates, managers, past romantic partners, and even one of his sisters. It aimed to present a comprehensive look into the life of the enigmatic artist, known for his unparalleled musical genius, flamboyant persona, and deep-rooted privacy.

However, in 2022, control of Prince’s estate changed hands. His heirs, alongside music company Primary Wave, took over and promptly restricted Edelman’s access to The Vault. Around the same time, a key Netflix executive who had originally commissioned the film left the company, further complicating matters. Upon viewing the documentary, the new estate administrators took issue with its content, reportedly requesting significant edits and reshoots.

 

Accusations of Sensationalism and Inaccuracy

While the estate never publicly detailed its specific concerns, sources told Variety that they found the documentary overly “sensationalized” and riddled with factual inaccuracies. Music producer Charles Spicer, a member of the estate, took to X (formerly Twitter) in 2024 to express his disapproval, writing:

“We have a duty to honor and protect his legacy with a story that fairly shows his complexities as well as his greatness. #no9hourhitjob”

One of the most controversial aspects of the film, as detailed by journalist Sasha Weiss in The New York Times, included allegations from Prince’s former girlfriend Jill Jones, who claimed the musician had physically assaulted her. The documentary also explored his reported reliance on pain medication and touched on criticisms of certain song lyrics as being antisemitic.

 

A ‘Cursed Masterpiece’ That Will Never See the Light of Day

Despite its shelving, Weiss described Edelman’s work as a “cursed masterpiece,” praising its ability to capture the paradox of Prince—the man versus the legend.

Even Oscar-winning musician and filmmaker Questlove, who appears in the documentary, was left grappling with the revelations in the film. Reflecting on its contents, he reportedly told Weiss:

“It was a heavy pill to swallow when someone that you put on a pedestal is normal. Everything’s here: he’s a genius, he’s majestical, he’s sexual, he’s flawed, he’s trash, he’s divine, he’s all those things … I saw this as a rare, rare, rare chance for [Black men] to look human to the world.”

 

Prince’s Estate Takes a Victory Lap

With the Netflix film now scrapped, the Prince estate is moving forward with its own documentary project, which will feature exclusive materials from The Vault. In the wake of the announcement, the estate shared a celebratory message on social media, posting a video titled “The Vault has been freed.” The clip included archival footage of Prince alongside two of his most poignant quotes:

“Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people.”
“The truth is, you’re either here to enlighten or discourage.”

Londell McMillan, a key figure in the estate’s legal team, hailed the decision as a “big, big win for Prince’s legacy.” He assured fans that the upcoming estate-approved documentary would be “an in-depth piece that explores the complexities of the brilliant musical genius.”

While Edelman’s ambitious project may never be seen, the battle over Prince’s narrative underscores a larger debate—who gets to tell an artist’s story? For now, Prince’s estate has made it clear: they alone will control how his legacy is remembered.