Sony Pictures has put in a hefty bid for distribution rights to footage of Michael Jackson’s final rehearsals.
 
A source told the Associated Press that Sony Pictures wants to be the studio to produce the film based on practice film from Michael’s This Is It concert series.  But they weren’t the only movie house eyeing the coveted footage; companies like Paramount, Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. have put in offers as well.
 
The one thing that Sony has over its competition is that Sony Music has rights to Michael’s music and they have a deal with his estate in Sony/ATV Publishing.
 
They’re also thinking about dropping a commemorative album.
 
Meanwhile, Michael’s estate and AEG Live (they were the ones promoting Michael’s concerts) are also in talks with a few networks to produce a stage show featuring the fallen icon’s music and dance moves that would air as a TV special. Bids for that project are in the tens of millions, too.
 
It’s reported that NBC is working the details for the TV show, but things like rights costs and an air date have not been worked out yet.

-- Sonya Eskridge

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