Michael Jackson Concert Movie Close to Deal?
Filed under: Documentary, Music & Musicals, Sony, Universal, RumorMonger, Fandom, Distribution, 20th Century Fox
Over the weekend, four studios have been bidding for Michael Jackson's final footage. Sony "has all but closed the deal," which is valued at more than $50 million, according to The Wrap. (That would make it the highest price ever paid for source material for a documentary.) Fox and Universal were also reportedly involved in the "pitched bidding war." The high-definition footage includes a full concert rehearsal "taped on the night before he died," production meetings, and auditions. The deal would also include several videos intended to be shown during breaks in the concert; at least two were shot in 3-D.
Previously, it was claimed that a final decision on the footage would need to wait until Jackson's estate is settled. Concert promoter AEG Live, self-described by company president and CEO Randy Phillips as the King of Pop's "partner in death," is also auctioning off TV rights. In a poll, Cinematical readers were divided as to how the footage should be used, with the leading choices being DVD/Blu-ray and "Free TV Special." More people voted for not seeing the footage at all than wanted to see a film.
The highest grossing concert film of all time is Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds, which made $65 million last year. (Adjusted for inflation, Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip comes out on top at $85 million.) The Jackson film would be something different, obviously: we're talking about a global phenomenon that cuts across generations. Still, whatever studio wins the bidding war is no doubt counting on huge international numbers to make the documentary a profitable venture.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-20-2009 @ 11:02AM
shamrockdoc said...
." More people voted for not seeing the footage at all than wanted to see a film.". Yeah right! Only in the U.S. market! The US in general had very little love for Michael Jackson; only reported so intensely in all mediums after his demise to get ratings and sell newspapers and magazines: mission accomplished! MJ is a cash cow (no disrespect), even in death. His legendary status, fame and notariety demands it. Do you honestly think that if you took an international poll that the majority of people would vote "NOT to see the footage at all?" I don't think so. Why do you think AEG is trying to pimp MJ's last concert footage out. AEG-the shrewed predatory business entity that it is, know what MJ's fans want and know that $50Mill is just the tip of the iceburg. Believe that!
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7-20-2009 @ 12:52PM
gavesonerisma said...
I AGREE NUFF said . The U.S. is good at making icons look bad to the world but the world is much bigger , and more appreciative of awzum talent like that of Michael Jackson!!!!!!!!!
7-21-2009 @ 11:52AM
Kendall Weddington said...
I just read a powerful article about Michael Jackson at www.ebmpublishing.com. The article was wonderfully written and showed a different side of him. It discussed his amazing rise from the grim streets of Indiana to international stardom. It’s an engaging, thought provoking article that gave me a new found level of respect for him. It’s located on the home page of www.ebmpublishing.com. Click on Hitman in the departments section.
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