MUMBAI: Sony Pictures has reportedly closed a $50 million deal to make a film on Michael Jackson’s final rehearsals.
The movie will be based on more than 80 hours of footage filmed during Michael Jackson’s final days as he was rehearsing for his comeback concerts in London.
Sony got the rights to the footage which was offered by concert promoter AEG to Hollywood film studios over the weekend. 20th Century Fox, Universal, Paramount and Relativity wanted to make the film but Sony eventually won out because Sony Music Entertainment presently owns the publishing rights to Jackson’s songs, say reports.
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The film will include at least three videos that were shot and meant to be shown during the concerts, including an alternative version of Jackson’s most famous video, Thriller….
High School Musical… director Kenny Ortega, who shot the rehearsal footage, is expected to become the director of the film. Sony plans to release the film before 2010.
AEG will be selling the TV and video rights to the August 29 tribute concert featuring Justin Timberlake and other artistes that is scheduled in London on Jackson’s 51st birthday.
The singers will perform the songs that the King of Pop had planned, accompanied by the band that rehearsed with him.
