PRODUCERS TAKE JACKSON MUSICAL BID TO COURT
A Broadway musical based on MICHAEL JACKSON’s hit THRILLER could still go ahead despite the singer’s death - producers of the show are pushing the executors of his estate to give the project the green light.
Bosses at Nederlander Presentations allegedly entered into a contract w ith Jackson to produce a stage show featuring the superstar’s hits before he died last June (09).
In 2008, the owner of the firm, theatre impresario James Nederlander, r evealed plans to take the ambitious new stage show to New York, and his o rganisation completed its purchase of the video’s stage rights last year (09).
Work on the production was halted in early 2009, when John Landis, who directed the 14-minute Thriller promo, sued Jackson over cash he was alle gedly still owed for the video, accusing the late star of "fraudulent, ma licious and oppressive conduct". That lawsuit is still pending.
The Broadway project was planned to start in 2011, and now bosses of th e organisation are asking for a judge to order the executors of Jackson’s estate to honour the contract and let the musical go ahead.
But Jackson’s estate lawyer Howard Weitzman is set to argue against Ned erlander’s claim, telling TMZ.com, "I’ve seen their creditor’s claim. I d on’t agree with their request."
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)
