Michael Jackson Gag Cut From Bruno

Update: Universal has issued a statement confirming the scene has been cut, “Out of respect for the Jackson family, the filmmakers have decided to remove a small scene involving La Toya Jackson.”

In a bitter irony involving yesterday’s death of Michael Jackson, Universal Pictures held the Hollywood premiere for Sasha Baron Cohen’s new movie Bruno that during previous press screenings included a Michael Jackson gag.


According to Access Hollywood and countless other sources who either attended the screening or heard from someone in attendance second-hand, Universal cut the scene in the hours between Jackson’s death and the screening out of respect for the family.

The scene in question is reported to involve Michael’s older sister, La Toya, who is coaxed to a home for an interview with Bruno. During the interview Bruno incessantly hounds La Toya for Michael’s phone number.

Though Universal has yet to confirm whether the scene will or will not be included in the final theatrical cut, a source did tell Access Hollywood that its removal is being considered. If the choice were mine I would leave it out of the theatrical version due to the close proximity to Michael’s death, but include it on the DVD and Blu-ray Disc version either cut back in or as a deleted scene.

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