LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson may have suddenly died in the midst of his comeback, but the singer will reportedly live on in a planned feature film from the “This is It” tour rehearsal footage.
In addition, the “King of Pop” will be honored with a tribute concert held on what would have been his 51st birthday in London, featuring Justin Timberlake and other artists, according to Variety.
After a reported bidding war, Sony Pictures Entertainment is about to close a deal to make a feature film using the 80 hours of rehearsal footage shot for the singer’s 50-date stint at London’s O2 Arena for the “This is It” tour, according to Variety.
Sony will reportedly pay upwards of $50 million to AEG Entertainment for the rights to the film. The footage, which was meant to be shown in between songs during the concert, includes multiple videos meant to play in 3-D. One of the videos is an alternate version of “Thriller.”
Kenny Ortega, best known as the man behind “High School Musical” who was also directing Jackson’s tour, is expected to helm the film. Ortega has already reportedly begun work on the film and Sony hopes to release it before the end of the year.
AEG is also trying to close a deal for the TV and video rights to a Jackson tribute concert on what would have been his 51st birthday in London. Timberlake is one of the artists who will reportedly perform the same set list Jackson planned for the London concerts.
When contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for AEG said, “We don’t comment on speculation.”
The tribute concert is scheduled for Aug. 29.
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