Nederlander Presentations Files Suit Against Michael Jackson Estate

Broadway powerhouse Nederlander Presentations have filed suit against Michael Jackson's estate, claiming Jackson's representatives are blocking them from creating a Broadway musical based on the hit maker's catalogue.

According to TMZ, the Nederlanders claim the estate won't provide the rights to use the songs for the stage show, which had been announced in January of 2009.

Reports TMZ: "Nederlander has already filed a creditor's claim but so far they've gotten nothing. The suit names co-executors John Branca and John McClain as defendants. Howard Weitzman, attorney for the MJ estate, tells TMZ, "The contract provides for certain approvals by Michael on a number of important elements.  Unfortunately, Michael is not available to participate in the process, and therefore I don't think the contract is enforceable.  The lawsuit has no merit."

With Michael Jackson's untimely death on June 25, 2009 the fate of a previously announced Broadway musical adaptation of THRILLER has seemed uncertain for the past year.

Last year, the LA Times reported that while plans for the show are currently up in the air, news might be emerging shortly. "We just don't know what's going to happen, and that's all we're saying for now," said a spokesman for the Nederlander Organization, who announced plans in January, 2009 for a Broadway production. "Plans for the future are forthcoming, and we may know more in the next week of two. All we're saying for now is that we're mourning the death of Michael Jackson."

On June 26, 2009 Time Out New York contacted Producer James L. Nederlander directly to discuss the project's future.

"Everything's ready to go," Nederlander asserted to Time Out NY theater editor David Cote. "[But] we're going to have to see where the future lies for everything. Right now we're grieving the loss of Michael. I'm not trying to be rude...but this is probably a future conversation piece. Hopefully we'll revisit this in a very positive vein as a legacy for Michael. Someday. But right now, it's really early to think about this. I mean, good for you for noticing it."

To read the entire Time Out NY piece, click here.

In a statement on January 29, 2009, Broadway producer James L. Nederlander says he's hopeful the "Thriller" legal battle over the musical rights for the project can be resolved. Nederlander expressed hope that the issue could be settled,"I'm confident that these past differences can be worked out."

Acclaimed Hollywood director John Landis, who co-wrote and shot the 1983 Michael Jackson Thriller music video, filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Jackson in Los Angeles Superior Court on January 21st, just days five days before James L. Nederlander announced he had bought the rights to adapt the video for the Broadway stage.

Landis' lawyer stated that the director will sue to stop the production if necessary.

The 14-minute Thriller video, a tribute to the classic Universal monster classics and featuring dancing zombies, was first aired in 1983 and remains one of the most influential music videos ever worldwide. Landis also made a documentary about the making of the Thriller video, a first for that kind of project.

Landis, whose hit films include Animal House, Trading Places, An American Werewolf in London and The Blues Brothers among many others, said in his lawsuit that he had not received his 50 per cent share of the profits from Thriller, including licensing rights for at least the past four years from Jackson's now-shuttered Optimum Productions.

Jackson, 50, is accused in the lawsuit of "fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct," claiming that the star had failed to produce full and proper accounts for the past four years "and earlier".

Landis also contends that Jackson had no right to negotiate a deal to make a Broadway musical of "Thriller," without his consent.

Reps for Michael Jackson did not return calls on the lawsuit.

It was announced January 26, 2009 that James L. Nederlander, President of the Nederlander Organization, had acquired the rights to produce a musical version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

Thriller The Musical will feature the music and lyrics of the King of Pop and include songs from the world's all-time best selling album, "Thriller" and the 7× Multi-Platinum selling album, "Off The Wall."

This musical was to be the exclusive Michael Jackson authorized version of "Thriller" and Jackson would have participated in every aspect of the creative process.

In a phenomenal, unparalleled career, Michael Jackson sold more than 750 million records, had 13 number one singles - more than any other male artist - and is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; once as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and later as a solo artist in 2001. His numerous other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records, including one for "Thriller" as the world's best-selling album of all time - 100 million copies and counting.

Jackson notably starred in the 1978 film adaptation of the musical THE WIZ. The singer played the Scarcrow alongside Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor. The singer's work is currently represented onstage in London with "Thriller - Live!" a spectacular, high octane show celebrating both his career, and the Jackson 5.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born August 29, 1958, the seventh child of the Jackson family. He made his professional debut at the age of 11 as a member of The Jackson 5 and began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. Hailed as the "King of Pop" in subsequent years, five of his solo studio albums have become among the world's best-selling records: "Off the Wall" (1979), "Thriller" (1982), "Bad" (1987), "Dangerous" (1991) and "HIStory"(1995). An early star of MTV and the art of making pop videos, Michael broke down racial barriers, transformed the art of the music video and paved the way for modern pop music. 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of the "Thriller" album with the release of the double-disc album "Thriller 25", containing the original nine tracks from "Thriller", re-mixes and a new song called "For All Time". The album reached number one in eight countries, number two in the US, number three in the UK and was top 10 on over 30 national charts. To celebrate Michael's 50th birthday, Sony BMG released a compilation album, "King of Pop" which featured tracks voted for by his fans.