Netflix has officially decided to cancel the anticipated nine-hour documentary series centered around the legendary musician Prince, following a collaborative agreement with his estate. This decision has led to the development of a different documentary project that will feature unique, never-before-seen content sourced directly from Prince?s extensive archive, ensuring fans will still have access to his remarkable legacy.

In a joint statement released to various media outlets, both Netflix and the Prince estate expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, stating, ?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.? Consequently, the original Netflix documentary will not be made available to the public, marking a significant shift in the planned project.

The initial announcement regarding this change was first reported by the reputable news outlet Puck, highlighting the importance of the topic in both entertainment and cultural discussions.

The news has been met with enthusiasm on social media platforms such as X and Instagram, where the Prince estate joyfully declared that the Prince ?vault has been freed.? They accompanied this celebration with a poignant quote from Prince himself: ?Despite everything, no one can dictate who you are to other people.? The posts featured a captivating video clip, harmonized with the melodious strains of Prince?s iconic 1982 track ?Free,? further celebrating the artist’s enduring spirit.

As of now, Netflix has not provided a response to inquiries from Billboard regarding this significant development. The silence leaves many eager for further details about future content related to Prince and the estate’s plans.

This announcement comes on the heels of an in-depth investigation published by the New York Times in September, which detailed the efforts of the new executors of Prince’s estate to prevent the release of the docuseries directed by Ezra Edelman, known for his work on O.J.: Made in America. This series was said to present a nuanced and sometimes critical exploration of Prince?s life, adding complexity to the narrative surrounding the artist. The project was handed over to Edelman from the original director, Ava DuVernay, who is acclaimed for her film Selma.

The management of Prince?s estate is currently divided equally between Primary Wave, which acquired its share from three of Prince’s heirs in 2021, and Prince Legacy, a company overseen by estate managers L. Londell McMillan and Charles Spicer Jr., alongside three of Prince’s remaining relatives. Recently, McMillan and Spicer achieved a significant legal victory when a judge dismissed an attempt by heirs involved in Prince Legacy to remove them from their managerial roles, affirming their position and authority over the estate.