Key takeaways:

• The Prince estate has successfully blocked a nine-hour Netflix documentary about the late music icon.
• Oscar-winning director Ezra Edelman’s film, developed over several years, will not be released due to concerns over its portrayal of Prince.
• A mutual agreement between the estate and Netflix allows the estate to produce a new documentary featuring exclusive content from Prince’s archive.
• The shelved documentary reportedly included allegations of emotional and physical abuse by former partners.

The estate of the late music legend Prince has obtained a significant victory by blocking the release of a nine-hour documentary produced by Netflix, directed by Ezra Edelman. This decision comes amidst concerns regarding the film's portrayal of the musician’s life, which many close to the estate labeled as “sensationalized” and potentially damaging to his legacy. The joint statement from the estate and Netflix confirmed that both parties have agreed to allow the estate to develop a new documentary that will include exclusive content from Prince's famed archives, known as “The Vault.”

Completed after nearly five years of production, the documentary featured interviews with over 70 individuals, including Prince’s former associates, bandmates, and romantic partners, some of whom made serious allegations against him, as reported by The Daily Beast. Following a significant change in the estate's administration in 2022, tensions arose regarding the direction and creative control of the film. This culminated in demands for cuts and reshoots, which the estate claimed were necessary to better reflect Prince's life.

Denouncing the film's content, Charles Spicer, a representative of the estate, tweeted that there are standards of dignity and respect that should be upheld, especially regarding graphic portrayals of a deceased loved one. This has emphasized the estate's commitment to honor Prince’s legacy in a manner they find to be accurate and respectful.

As project developments unfold, the new documentary is anticipated to delve deeply into the complexities of Prince's life, aiming to portray him comprehensively rather than focusing solely on controversies. More information on the estate’s plans is expected in the upcoming months.

For further detail, you can read the full articles at CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and The Daily Beast.