Forgotten Journal

The “Thriller” singer will definitely not be thrilled by news reports that director John Landis, who shot the “Thriller” video, has sued him for his failure to pay project royalties for the past four years. A producer from Broadway earlier announced the purchase of the adaptation rights to stage “Thriller”. However, barely a few days after this announcement, the Levitsky Productions Inc owned by Landis filed a suit against Jackson for unspecified damages. Landis claims that Jackson owes him 50% of the profits earned by Thriller considering that Jackson continues to license rights to projects involving the video and documentary such as toys, video games and comic books

The 14-minute “Thriller” video which was a collaboration between pop superstar Jackson and Grammy award winning director Landis changed the history of the music industry when it became a super hit. Several years later all the glory was relegated to several pieces of paper representing the case filed in court by Landis against his singer. Landis said the video continues to generate profit but Jackson has fraudulently and maliciously refused to account or pay for such profits. The suit did not specify the exact amount owed by Jackson to Lindis but was estimated at $1 million. Jackson, who has moved back to Los Angeles, is trying to revive his career and the suit, although an unwelcomed development at this time, is consistent with Jackson’s bizarre private and public life. The pop icon recently settled a $7 million lawsuit filed against him by Prince Abdullah of Bahrain.

Category : Michael Jackson