Michael Jackson Film in the Works
Sony Pictures may be closing a deal for a film featuring rehearsal footage of the late singer.
A film featuring footage of Michael Jackson's rehearsals for what would have been his "This Is It" tour may hit theaters around Halloween, MTV.com reports.
Sony Pictures is finalizing a deal that would allow them access to 80 hours of rehearsal footage, which is currently owned by AEG, the promoter of the tour. The price tag? Up to $60 million dollars.
ABCNews.com reported that Jackson's tour would have most likely taken in $165 million, but that with the new film, that estimate would probably be exceeded.
Kenny Ortega, who shot the rehearsal footage, would put the film together.
The Los Angeles Times reported that there was talk of a TV special, but that it would have featured no footage of the late singer. Instead, it would have included performances by other artists such as Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake and also costumes and choreography, which were to be used for Jackson's tour. With a price tag of $20 million, however, networks shied away.
Jackson's family is expected to take about 90 percent of the proceeds from the film, after AEG recovers from its loss in revenue from the canceled tour.
