Footage from Michael Jackson’s final rehearsals will soon be made into a movie. On Friday a judge approved a deal between the Jackson estate, AEG Live and Columbia Pictures. The movie will feature the pop star’s preparation for the “This is It” tour, which was slated to be Jackson’s big comeback before his death on June 25.
Concert promoter AEG claims to have over 100 hours of footage and videos that were to be used in the concerts. Columbia Pictures reportedly paid $60 million for the film’s rights and 90% of the profits will go to the Jackson estate as defined by the terms of the contract. The estate must screen the film and Jackson cannot be cast negatively.
AEG and Katherine Jackson are currently in court reviewing merchandising agreements for the the tour.