The judge granted permission for This Is It

On Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court judge Mitchell Beckloff agreed to create and screen a film based on rehearsal videos recorded of Michael on stage. The deal is between the Michael Jackson Foundation, AEG, which holds the rights to the videos as the concert promoter, and Columbia Pictures, which is owned by Sony. Sony paid $60 million to purchase the production rights for this film. The film will show Michael rehearsing for the This Is It concerts. These concerts were scheduled to begin on July 13 at the O2 Arena in London and continue for 50 nights. The film may also include videos that were prepared for display during the concerts. During breaks and/or costume changes by team members during the concerts, people in the audience were supposed to be entertained with these videos. Columbia Pictures says the film will be released in theaters on October 30, and that its production uses hundreds of hours of Michael’s rehearsals in Los Angeles, behind-the-scenes preparation for the concerts, and interviews with Michael’s friends and colleagues. Michael Lynton, President and CEO of Sony Pictures, says: “People who have seen the rehearsal film are stunned and amazed by the astonishing quality of Michael Jackson’s performances. This historic film, capturing his final readings and dancing, shows this legendary artist in an incredible and powerful way. And the sound and picture quality are outstanding.” However, the judge did not decide on the contract between the defense attorneys and Bravado for the sale of products featuring Michael’s name and logo. Because Catherine Jackson raised other issues in court. On Friday, the judge had approved the sale of Michael products. The judge intends to appoint a lawyer to represent Michael’s children in court so that the financial preferences of Michael’s three children—heirs to their father’s vast and profitable music empire—can be presented. Because: “I don’t know how to issue a ruling on this without knowing the children’s views, and they are not here.” The judge said that over the course of the week, he will make decisions regarding the sale of these products. Source: eMJey / AP