'Thriller' director sues Jackson for profits

A day after plans for a 'Thriller' musical were announced, it has emerged that Michael Jackson is being sued by the original director of the classic 1980s video.

Legal papers filed on behalf of John Landis claim that Jackson withheld profits from him and that the star is guilty of “fraudulent, malicious and oppressive” conduct.

The writ follows the release of 'Thriller 25' last year to celebrate the quarter-century celebration of the ground-breaking music video. It also comes after news broke that a Broadway musical is planned based on the 14-minute pop promo.

Legal documents were filed at Los Angeles Superior Court last Wednesday by lawyers for Landis’s company Levitsky Productions.

The papers have since been reproduced on entertainment website The Wrap.

Landis’s lawyers accuse Jackson and the defunct production firm Optimum of failing to provide accounts for recent profits made from the marketing of 'Thriller' and the accompanying “making of” documentary.

They claim that Landis – who co-wrote and directed the 1983 video – is entitled to 50% of profits.

The writ states: “After a spectacular theatrical premier, the 'Thriller' video became a worldwide mega-hit and an iconic pop culture phenomenon that has continued to generate profits for defendants Optimum Productions and Michael Jackson, who have wrongfully refused to pay or account for such profits to the plaintiff.”

It alleges that Jackson and Optimum failed to provide “an honest, accurate, timely, full and complete annual accounting of the net profits earned in connection with the 'Thriller' video and documentary”.

Landis is also seeking damages for Jackson and Optimum’s “fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct”, court documents show.

The director made his name through a series of successful films in the 1980s including 'The Blues Brothers' and 'Coming to America'.

Prior to making the Thriller video, he directed the comedy-horror movie 'An American Werewolf in London'.

The Jackson pop promo was the most expensive video of its time. It has since been named the most successful music video of all time by Guinness World Records, having sold more than 1 million units.

Yesterday, it was announced that 'Thriller' was to be turned into a stage musical following a deal between Jackson and Broadway impresario James Nederlander.

Mr Nederlander said: “I love the idea of making 'Thriller' a musical. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, boy has big secret, now what?”