Dan Reed, the director behind Leaving Neverland, has found himself at the center of a storm ever since his explosive documentary about Michael Jackson first aired. Now, as he gears up for the release of Leaving Neverland 2, Reed is opening up about the intense backlash he's faced—including thousands of death threats from devoted Jackson fans.
In a candid interview with The Guardian, Reed revealed just how extreme the threats have become. "I've had murderers try to find me. I've had people threaten to shoot me who are armed. I've been threatened many, many times," he shared.
The Fallout from Leaving Neverland
When the first Leaving Neverland documentary premiered on HBO in 2019, it sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. The film featured disturbing allegations from Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claimed they were sexually abused by Jackson as children during the height of his career. While the documentary was met with critical acclaim and even won awards, it also ignited a firestorm of controversy.
Jackson's most dedicated fans were quick to dismiss the accusations, insisting that Robson and Safechuck were only in it for money and that the pop icon, who passed away in 2009, was unfairly targeted. Reed himself became a primary focus of the backlash.
Threats That Hit Too Close to Home
The hostility wasn’t limited to online trolling. According to Reed, some threats were far more serious. "I've kept company with very violent people for a very long time. I don't want to say I'm a tough guy, but the needle doesn't go into the red until I've got something quite specific," he explained. "The threats delivered face-to-face I took seriously. People trying to find my home address to post me a parcel—I took seriously. People in China sending me emails? I don't take so seriously. They're going to have to get on a plane."
Despite the danger, Reed remains undeterred. In fact, he's doubling down with Leaving Neverland 2, which continues the story of Robson and Safechuck as they pursue legal action against the Jackson estate. This time, they’re not just recounting past experiences—they're actively trying to hold the people around Jackson accountable for the alleged abuse they suffered.
The Next Chapter: Leaving Neverland 2
Unlike the first documentary, which was backed by HBO, the sequel is taking a different route. In North America, it will premiere on Real Stories, a premium documentary channel on YouTube owned by Little Dot Studios. Meanwhile, in the UK, Leaving Neverland 2 is set to debut on Channel 4 on March 18.
For Reed, this new distribution approach is an exciting opportunity. "I'm genuinely excited about it reaching as broad an audience as possible," he said. Without the backing of a major network like HBO, the documentary will rely on digital platforms to get its message out, potentially allowing even more people to engage with the story.
The Debate Continues
The controversy surrounding Michael Jackson’s legacy is far from over. Even more than a decade after his death, the battle between his defenders and his accusers rages on. While his fans maintain his innocence and see documentaries like Leaving Neverland as character assassination, others believe the film sheds light on a history of abuse that was covered up for years.
Whether you believe Reed’s work is an essential exposé or an unfair attack, one thing is clear—he's not backing down. With Leaving Neverland 2, he’s diving even deeper into one of pop culture’s most divisive debates, knowing full well that the backlash will be just as intense as before.
But as he has made clear, he’s not easily intimidated.
Login