Michael Jackson Got Sued by ‘Thriller’ Director

Michael Jackson

It’s a thrill that comes alive.

Former “King of Pop” Michael Jackson is being sued by the director of his 1983 video Thriller over unpaid royalties. Director John Landis sued the megastar on Wednesday for allegedly failing to stick to an agreement to share profits from the 14-minute video, especially after the video is planned to be adapted as a stage production on Broadway.

As the lawsuit stated, “After a spectacular theatrical premiere the Thriller video became a worldwide megahit and an iconic pop culture phenomenon. The video continued to generate profits for defendants… who have wrongfully refused to pay or account for such profits to the plaintiff.” It also said that what Jackson did was “fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct.”

Not only Jackson, Landis also sued producer James L. Nederlander’s company over the possible Broadway show. The lawsuit said that the producer doesn’t have the authority to create a stage show based on the video or documentary that Landis directed, even though earlier this week Nederlander announced that his company had acquired the rights to Thriller and songs from Jackson’s super hit album of the same name.

Landis claims the Heal The World singer was paid more than $400,000 for the rights he owns. Landis is personally suing Jackson over the Broadway production, the suit over royalties; license rights to video games, toys and comic books that was based on the groundbreaking video. The lawsuit also seeks an accounting of the video’s profits. According to Landis’ attorney, Miles J. Feldman, the director would seek to stop the show “if it becomes necessary.”

Hmm… another problem for Mr. Moon Walk, I guess. Hopefully, it will settled nicely.

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