Final Jackson Film Plans Finalized
By Halloween of this year, you may get your chance to see footage of Michael Jackson’s final days. Sony-owned Columbia Pictures just finalized plans to make a film involving footage of Michael Jackson’s rehearsals from the big AEG Live concert series.
The company paid a whopping $60 million for rights to over 100 hours of footage, which they will compile into a feature-length film. Columbia finally came to an agreement with Jackson reps and AEG Live following weeks of negotiations. We can’t wait to see it!
MTV reports the details:
Columbia Pictures has solidified its plans to bring a Michael Jackson film — complete with footage of his final rehearsals in preparation for a comeback tour — to theaters in the fall, according to The Associated Press.
After weeks of negotiations, Columbia, which is owned by Sony, agreed to pay $60 million for rights to the project. The agreement was reached Friday between Columbia, concert promoter AEG Live, Jackson’s representatives and others.
All that remains is for a Los Angeles judge to approve the deal at a Monday hearing, when Jackson’s mother, Katherine, will have an opportunity to raise any objections.
The deal includes the rights to more than 100 hours of rehearsal footage, clips that were intended to be used during Jackson’s comeback concerts at London’s O2 arena, as well as merchandising, special DVD editions and product tie-ins. Among the prohibited tie-ins are products related to alcohol, tobacco, gambling and pharmaceuticals, along with personal-hygiene products and firearms. Jackson’s company would receive 90 percent of the movie’s profits, and AEG would receive the rest.