A Legal Thriller: Michael Jackson Sued by John Landis - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-27-2009, 11:20 PM

Link

Los Angeles (E! Online) – Remember that Thriller musical we told you about yesterday? Seems Michael Jackson already has a sequel in the works.

This one will be playing out not on Broadway, however, but in a Los Angeles courtroom.

John Landis, the filmmaker whose credits include Animal House, The Blues Brothers and Trading Places, is suing over another of his best known hits—Jackson's "Thriller" video. Landis says Jackson owes him big bucks in royalties for the classic 14-minute clip.

Per the complaint, filed in L.A. Superior Court last week and obtained by E! News, the 58-year-old filmmaker accuses the 50-year-old Moonwalker of "fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct" for failing to fork over a check.

Landis says he's due 50 percent of the net profits from the groundbreaking video, which cowrote and directed, as well as an hourlong "making of" documentary.

The suit doesn't specify the exact amount Landis is owed but it's thought to be around $1 million. In any case, the legal action comes at a fortuitous time considering Jackson just sold the rights to the "Thriller" video to theatrical wizards Nederlander Organization to stage a Broadway musical based on the horror spoof.

Jackson's rep, Dr. Tohme Tohme, was not immediately available for comment.

Speaking to the entertainment site The Wrap, Landis attorney Martin Feldman said the lawsuit was a last resort.

"I can't understand what they are doing to John Landis' company. It is such a straight ahead thing," he said. "It makes no sense at all to me."

As if the life of Michael Jackson ever made sense to any of us.

catlover79 · 01-28-2009, 12:32 AM

A Thriller musical?? Please, no!!

MickeyMac · 01-28-2009, 01:19 PM

I hear Michael is overseeing this project. How the mighty have fallen lol

catlover79 · 01-28-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

I hear Michael is overseeing this project. How the mighty have fallen lol

^ That's an UNDERSTATEMENT!!

TJL · 01-28-2009, 03:42 PM

Sounds like Landis has a claim.

Pay up suckas!

88survivor · 01-28-2009, 03:58 PM

No musicals, please! Remember the vampire fascination back in the early 2000s? Those Broadway musicals were so short-lived, they sucked literally.

catlover79 · 01-28-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88survivor

No musicals, please! Remember the vampire fascination back in the early 2000s? Those Broadway musicals were so short-lived, they sucked literally.

isiahthomas · 02-07-2009, 02:12 PM

How is Michael gonna pay John Landis when he has no money? Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

01-27-2009, 11:20 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,427	A Legal Thriller: Michael Jackson Sued by John Landis Link Los Angeles (E! Online) – Remember that Thriller musical we told you about yesterday? Seems Michael Jackson already has a sequel in the works. This one will be playing out not on Broadway, however, but in a Los Angeles courtroom. John Landis, the filmmaker whose credits include Animal House, The Blues Brothers and Trading Places, is suing over another of his best known hits—Jackson's "Thriller" video. Landis says Jackson owes him big bucks in royalties for the classic 14-minute clip. Per the complaint, filed in L.A. Superior Court last week and obtained by E! News, the 58-year-old filmmaker accuses the 50-year-old Moonwalker of "fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct" for failing to fork over a check. Landis says he's due 50 percent of the net profits from the groundbreaking video, which cowrote and directed, as well as an hourlong "making of" documentary. The suit doesn't specify the exact amount Landis is owed but it's thought to be around $1 million. In any case, the legal action comes at a fortuitous time considering Jackson just sold the rights to the "Thriller" video to theatrical wizards Nederlander Organization to stage a Broadway musical based on the horror spoof. Jackson's rep, Dr. Tohme Tohme, was not immediately available for comment. Speaking to the entertainment site The Wrap, Landis attorney Martin Feldman said the lawsuit was a last resort. "I can't understand what they are doing to John Landis' company. It is such a straight ahead thing," he said. "It makes no sense at all to me." As if the life of Michael Jackson ever made sense to any of us.

01-28-2009, 12:32 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	A Thriller musical?? Please, no!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-28-2009, 03:42 PM	#5
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Sounds like Landis has a claim. Pay up suckas!
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

01-28-2009, 01:19 PM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I hear Michael is overseeing this project. How the mighty have fallen lol

01-28-2009, 03:58 PM	#6
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	No musicals, please! Remember the vampire fascination back in the early 2000s? Those Broadway musicals were so short-lived, they sucked literally.

02-07-2009, 02:12 PM	#8
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	How is Michael gonna pay John Landis when he has no money? Hahahahahahahahahahaha.