OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Ezra Edelman, the Oscar-winning director behind the much-anticipated documentary on the legendary Prince, has recently spoken out about the shocking decision by Netflix and the late singer’s estate to scrap the project. In an appearance on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, Edelman did not hold back, calling the decision “a joke” and shedding light on the behind-the-scenes drama that led to the film’s cancellation.
In 2019, Netflix approached Edelman to create a documentary focusing on the life of the Purple Rain hitmaker, a project that seemed promising from the start. The agreement was clear: the filmmakers would have the final cut, with Prince’s estate given the opportunity to flag any factual inaccuracies. However, things quickly took a turn when the estate submitted a lengthy list of complaints.
“The estate, here’s the one thing they were 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 revealed. “You think I have any interest in putting out a film that is factually inaccurate?”
As the director continued, he revealed the friction that arose from this process, describing the estate’s actions as a reflection of Prince himself, known for his famously meticulous control over his image and music. “This is reflective of Prince himself, who was notoriously one of the most famous control freaks in the history of artists,” Edelman explained.
The situation became even more complicated when a lawyer representing the estate expressed concerns over the potential harm the documentary could cause to Prince’s legacy. According to Edelman, the lawyer argued that the portrayal of Prince in the film could alienate younger fans, warning that the documentary might discourage new generations from appreciating the artist’s work. The lawyer even claimed that the film would “do generational harm” to the artist’s legacy.
Edelman was frustrated by this stance. “This is a gift — a nine-hour treatment about an artist that was, by the way, f***ing brilliant,” he said. “Everything about who you believe he is in this movie. You get to bathe in his genius. And yet you also have to confront his humanity, which he, by the way, in some ways, was trapped in not being able to expose because he got trapped in his own myth about who he was to the world, and he had to maintain it.”
The film, titled The Book of Prince, was set to provide an intimate look at the man behind the legend. Edelman’s documentary was not just about glorifying Prince’s genius but also confronting the complexities of his personal life and his struggle with the public persona he created. The project was ultimately shelved on February 7, with no indication of whether it will ever be released in the future.
For Edelman, the cancellation of the documentary represents more than just a lost opportunity. It highlights the challenges faced when navigating the legacy of an artist who fought so fiercely for control over his image and career. The director’s disappointment is palpable, particularly when reflecting on the irony that Prince, who once fought for his artistic freedom against the constraints of major labels like Warner Bros., is now the subject of a similar fight—one that is limiting the artistic expression surrounding his legacy.
In the end, The Book of Prince may never see the light of day, but Edelman’s candid words paint a vivid picture of the struggle between preserving an artist’s legacy and confronting the sometimes uncomfortable truths about their humanity.