Somebody (I think Mister_Jay_Tee) made an important observation: MJ, unlike most other “vintage” artists, is in a position where he needs to placate more to the new generation. Leaving Neverland poses a serious risk at being his definitive image moving forward, and it’s important to attempt to relay the focus onto his existing body of work with the biopic and the musical. Acts like Elton John and Queen aren’t fighting off pedophilia accusations, so this isn’t something they need to be acutely concerned with.
Obviously I’m not advocating completely ignoring the longtime fans, but it’s not really all that surprising in this context that an emphasis is being placed on newcomers.
I don't think I've said it exactly like that, but that is true. MJ (r.e. his camp) needs to take his narrative back before it's hijacked.
He would've done it with This Is It. And if he was alive, he wouldn't be being sued, and if he was, he'd fight it and win.
But now, there's different ways to take it back. Rebuttal documentaries, or in this case, the biopic, can be a huge answer. The only answer that can saturate even farther than a documentary for sure. It'd be very wise to take that chance.
I think what I've really said
@AlwaysThere is that MJs music scales up pretty well to what they do today. There are many great artists, but they are primarily of their era. MJ was around long enough to engage with the 21st century, at least at it's start. And much of what he did in the 20th is informing what's done today anyway. There's a lot they can do, versatility wise.
And making music like this, informed by the 21st century, engaging directly with today's contemporarys, is the easiest way to make today's youth draw towards it. It just does help in that way. No disrespect to the great Tina Turner, who was excellent, but I just can't see many of the kids I know going down that rabbit hole. Those same kids already know Beat It and the other classics though, and they have TikTok, so whatever's popular, they know about.