Netflix will no longer release its controversial six-part Prince documentary directed by Ezra Edelman. The streaming giant and the late music legend’s estate announced they’ve reached a new agreement that shifts the project in a different direction.
“The Prince Estate and Netflix have come to a mutual agreement that will allow the estate to develop and produce a new documentary featuring exclusive content from Prince’s archive,” read a joint statement shared on social media. “As a result, the Netflix documentary will not be released.”
Alongside the announcement, the Prince estate posted a cryptic video with the words “The vault has been freed,” signaling that previously unreleased materials from Prince’s extensive archive might soon come to light.
Edelman—best known for the award-winning O.J.: Made in America—had been quietly working on the project for over four years. With rare access to Prince’s archives, the film was initially intended to be a six-hour series. However, reports from The New York Times last September revealed that Edelman’s cut stretched to nine hours and included troubling allegations about the late artist’s personal life.
The documentary allegedly featured interviews with several of Prince’s ex-girlfriends, former business associates, and friends. Among the most explosive claims were accounts of physical and emotional abuse. According to The Times, Jill Jones, one of Prince’s ex-girlfriends, described a night where the singer slapped and punched her. Susannah Melvoin, another past partner, reportedly shared that Prince monitored her phone calls and tried to isolate her from her sister after she moved in with him.
Prince’s ex-wife, Mayte Garcia, also allegedly recounted being left alone in the aftermath of their child’s death. Other interviewees discussed Prince’s controlling nature and his experiences with childhood trauma, while some also reflected on positive and loving memories of the star, painting a complicated and layered portrait of his life.
At the time, representatives for the Prince estate pushed back, calling the film’s portrayal “sensationalized” and riddled with inaccuracies. In a statement, Primary Wave Music and Prince Legacy said, “We are working to resolve matters concerning the documentary so that his story may be told in a way that is factually correct and does not mischaracterize or sensationalize his life. We look forward to continuing to share Prince’s gifts and celebrate his profound and lasting impact on the world.”
While Netflix has not commented further on Edelman’s version of the film, the estate’s decision to produce a new documentary could offer a fresh take on the singer’s legacy—one more aligned with how those closest to him want his story to be told.
No word yet on when this new project will be released, but one thing is clear: Prince’s vault still has plenty of secrets to reveal.