QUICK TAKES - Jan. 30, 2009
The transformation of “Thriller” from music video to Broadway musical already has hit a snag, even before a writer has been hired. John Landis, who co-wrote and directed the 1982 music video, has sued Michael Jackson and Broadway producer James L. Nederlander, saying he owns half the rights and hasn’t given his blessing to the project announced this week.
Responding to the lawsuit filed a day earlier in Santa Monica, Nederlander issued a statement Thursday: “I’m confident that these past differences can be worked out.”
It’s Landis’ second suit against Jackson in as many weeks. Last week he took legal action because he said he hadn’t been paid royalties on “Thriller” for at least four years.
Jackson has not commented on either lawsuit.
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