Prince’s highly anticipated Netflix documentary has been shelved after a dispute between the streaming giant and the late musician’s estate, but a new project is now in the works.
The decision, announced Thursday in a joint statement from Netflix and The Prince Estate, means that director Ezra Edelman’s nine-hour film will never see the light of day. The fallout between the estate and Netflix was first reported by The New York Times in September when sources revealed that Prince’s estate was trying to prevent the documentary from moving forward.
The estate’s representatives claimed the film misrepresented the legendary musician, best known for Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, and Raspberry Beret. Edelman, the filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning O.J.: Made in America, has not publicly commented on the decision. While fans may be disappointed by the cancellation, the estate didn’t let the moment pass without a bit of celebration.
Prince’s estate is split between Primary Wave Music, which acquired shares from three of his heirs in 2021, and Prince Legacy, a company overseen by two managers and three of his relatives.