'Thriller' director sues Michael Jackson

'Thriller' director sues Michael Jackson
The Associated Press
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — "Thriller" may be headed to Broadway, but first Michael Jackson's song and groundbreaking music video may be headed to court.

John Landis, the acclaimed director who co-wrote the video and shot "Thriller," is suing Jackson, claiming the pop star has failed to pay him royalties for the project for the past four years.

Landis' Levitsky Productions Inc. sued Jackson for unspecified damages in Santa Monica on Jan. 21, days before a Broadway producer announced he had bought the rights to adapt "Thriller" for the stage.

The lawsuit claims Landis is owed 50 percent of profits from "Thriller" projects and alleges Jackson continues to license rights to video games, toys and comic books based on the 14-minute music video and a documentary.

A phone message left for a New York attorney who has represented Jackson was not immediately returned Wednesday morning.

Published 1/28/09 by


AP Entertainment News

Comments (6)

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  • michael you will be missed x
    Anonymous 6/25/09 Reply
  • yes its hair on his chest but its not all over his body. People sue for nothing they sue him for his money man. King of pop some people are jelous and he did not abusse that child even the child said he did'nt people these days
    Anonymous 6/19/09 Reply
  • so what if Michael wants Thriller to come on stage???Michael paid him,and shouldnt have had to pay him anymore after they were done creating it!!!!
    MadisonR 5/4/09 Reply
  • yes,it is!!!
    MadisonR 5/4/09 Reply
  • This site is one of the sites ive found the most stupid comments in all my life. What is suppose to be on Michael's chest if not hair, your face? Stupid. People still dont get it that certain people are still determined to restroy Michael by sueing...
    MatildaJ 4/24/09 Reply
    • Oh come on, I seriously doubt John Landis has to make outlandish or untrue accusations towards anyone. He was probably giving Michael time to get over all his other legal problems.
      JessicaW41 6/5/09