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Three-Sided 'Thriller' Assault on Jackson Estate

Posted Oct 29th 2009 7:15PM by TMZ Staff

Michael Jackson's estate was hit with three major creditor's claims today -- and they're all from people who claim MJ owed them tons of cash from "Thriller."

First up: John Landis -- the guy who wrote and directed the "Thriller" video and documentary back in 1983. Landis claims Jackson owed him more than $400,000 from a deal MJ made to take "Thriller" to Broadway -- a deal Landis said MJ didn't have the authority to make in the first place without his consent.

Next up: The company who hired Landis to do the "Thriller" gig also filed legal documents. Levitsky Productions claims they weren't paid profits they were entitled to from the music video in more than 4 years. They want more than $1,000,000.

Lucky #3: George Folsey Jr. -- the guy who produced the "Thriller" music video and documentary. Folsey claims Jackson stiffed him out of his cut of Thriller-related merchandise -- such as video games, toys, comic books, DVDs, CDs, dramatic and musical works and more. Folsey Jr. also wants more than $1,000,000.

Tags: creditors claims, CreditorsClaims, estate, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, thriller

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(Page 1 of 10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. why are all these clamis coming out after MJ's death??? why not when he was still alive.

RIP MJ

Posted at 7:21PM on Oct 29th 2009 by danielle

2. This is getting ridiculous. Where were all these people when MJ was alive?

Posted at 7:22PM on Oct 29th 2009 by Fab5

3. Michael Jackson, forever a cash cow...

Posted at 7:23PM on Oct 29th 2009 by Sam

4. With as good as the "This Is It" movie is, hopefully the worth of MJ's estate will continue to exponentially increase and keep pace with the creditors' claims.

Regardless of whether you agree with Sony's decision to make this movie, GO SEE "THIS IS IT" simply to appreciate Michael's creative process and the joy of seeing him again!

Posted at 7:24PM on Oct 29th 2009 by MsMeowzers

5. what a great show. THIS IS IT.

MICHAEL JACKSON THE KING IS GREATLY MISSED..

Posted at 7:28PM on Oct 29th 2009 by yezzzum

6. Statute of limitations,even for written contracts in CA is 4yrs.
Thriller was in 1983.
Too bad.

Posted at 7:29PM on Oct 29th 2009 by masimons

7. Oh, my gawd!!!!!! When these people will stop all these stupid complains???????!!!!! It's unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 7:32PM on Oct 29th 2009 by Simone

8. And they wait over 24 years to file lawsuits? When will it end!

This Is It amazing movie......

Posted at 7:32PM on Oct 29th 2009 by So Sad

9. when are we gonna see some justice for michael jackson. when is murry gonna go to jail!!!! and harvey we hear all about these creditors but nothing about if the estate handle them, like gets them thrown out or settled. and is'nt there a time limit on these claim i mean its been 20 yrs or so on some of them. i mean come on!!!!!!!

Posted at 7:35PM on Oct 29th 2009 by michelle

10. At least all the leeches are coming out in the light!

I hope someone is making a list, cause they will all have to go to jail for fraud attempt!

Posted at 7:35PM on Oct 29th 2009 by Carry

11. The good thing about the probate process in California is that the courts routinely process debt demands and are adept at paying the correct ones and dismissing the incorrect ones.

Posted at 7:36PM on Oct 29th 2009 by Eaglewerks

12. When will these scum leeches back the f##k off and let the kids get their inheritance?
Thriller, FFS??? How many years has gone by? I thought better of john Landis until now, looks like he's a money-grabber like the rest of em.
For christ's sake everybody shut the hell up and let Michael rest and his kids get their lives back together.
Gettin seriously pissed off now

Posted at 7:36PM on Oct 29th 2009 by TigerEyes

13. Yes, where were these folks when he was alive? Is it easier to get your bucks when the person is deceased? And WHY the EFF is Murray's sorry ass behind bars? He took MJ's life, plain and simple. Damn him!!!

Posted at 7:38PM on Oct 29th 2009 by pattygoody

14. When the date is up for claims to be filed against the estate. I believe it is some thing like 3-6 months after the official probate of the will. So when ever the will entered into probate. I think time maybe running out that is why everyone is filing now.
Some will be thrown out and some will get negotiated and some will get paid.

as to thriller After they saw the movie they all must have run to their prospective lawyers..figureing a thriller movie is next and they all want in on it.

RIP even though it will be hard to do MJJ!

Posted at 7:40PM on Oct 29th 2009 by Roe50

15. I agree with #7. This Is It is an amazing movie.

http://www.moviesonline.ca/movie_review_detail.php?id=13917

Posted at 7:40PM on Oct 29th 2009 by Sheila

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