Sony Nears Deal for Michael Jackson Film

Published by Jeff Leins on July 20, 2009

Sony Pictures is close to a deal that would acquire at least 100 hours of rehearsal footage filmed before Michael Jackson’s death last month.  The studio is planning a feature film that would combine the pop star’s final rehearsal performance at the Staples Center hours before he died and behind the scenes clips in preparation for his “This Is It” tour.  The footage also contains several pre-recorded videos intended for breaks in the concert, including an alternate version of “Thriller” shot in 3-D.

Sony came out on top of a “pitched bidding war” with concert promoter AEG Live over Fox, Universal, Paramount, and Relativity, according to TheWrap and Variety.  The studio was the favorite for the footage because Sony Music Entertainment owns publishing rights to Jackson’s songs.  The deal is expected to be over $50 million, the largest ever for documentary film rights.

The highest grossing concert film of all-time is Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which earned $70.6 million worldwide.  Jackson’s mass appeal would certainly crush that number.

Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) shot the footage and expected to direct the feature, though it’s uncertain when or in what format the movie would be released.  The director has already started arranging the footage, according to reports, and he would have time to complete it before shooting the Footloose remake next year.

AEG is also selling the pay-per-view television rights to the Michael Jackson tribute concert scheduled in London for August 29, MJ’s birthday.  Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson and more will perform the songs chosen by Michael for his tour.