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.
Michael Jackson's daddy was in Sin City for the Vegas premiere of "This Is It" last night -- but after the flick, papa Joe checked out this awesome rendition of "Thriller" inside the Moon nightclub in the Palms Casino.
Two of Michael Jackson's tigers are currently living in an animal sanctuary right near the massive wildfire burning in California -- but despite mandatory evacuations in the area, they're not going anywhere.
We just spoke to the VP in charge of operations at Shambala Preserve -- owned by "The Birds" star Tippi Hedren -- who tells us "We house 64 big cats and it would be a logistical nightmare to bring all these cats down the road and get in the firefighters way of doing their job."
Two of those 64 cats: Thriller and Sabu (seen above), who were once owned by Michael Jackson. We're told the animals are fine and "don't even realize the commotion around them."
All the employees at the Preserve will be riding out the fire with the animals. As for supplies, they have water tanks, pumps, hoses, generators and a "fridge full of food."
A group of well-choreographed Michael Jackson fans -- about 500 to be exact -- gathered in Leicester, U.K. to wish Michael Jackson a happy 51st birthday by re-enacting his famous "Thriller" video.
According to the group, they think they've set some sort of world record.
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video was an iconic moment in music history -- and Jacko planned on recreating it for his upcoming London concert series.
A source who worked on the concerts tells TMZ the show was supposed to begin with a 3D movie with everyone in the crowd getting 3D glasses. It would begin with a girl running through a rainforest and seeing all sorts of animals -- including birds, monkeys, baby wolves, and butterflies.
Eventually she ends up a haunted house and makes her way into a graveyard with a bunch of ghouls and zombies who start popping out of graves (sound familiar?). The "Thriller" music starts to roll, the zombies (aka backup dancers) start to come out of the screen, and then the concert begins with "Thriller."
We just received the following statement from Quincy Jones, who produced Michael Jackson's legendary "Thriller" album:
"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words.
Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the 80's.
To this day, the music we created together on "Off The Wall," "Thriller" and "Bad" is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all...talent, grace, professionalism and dedication.
He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever.
I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
Flashing his mortal face and human arm, Michael Jackson left his home away from home -- a medical building -- wearing an updated version of his infamous '80s red leather jacket.
The 50-year-old former King of Pop is slowly transforming back to his old self.
We've learned there was a secret meeting yesterday at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Michael Jackson made it clear -- he will not perform with Janet and the Jackson 5; and the dude who organized the concert tour tells us he will sue them.
As we first reported, Jacko's manager signed a deal on behalf of M.J. to perform with his sis and bros at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas in 2010. Part of the deal -- that he not sign any other concert deal for 18 months. But then Jacko went and signed up for his London concerts which are scheduled to begin in July.
The company that organized the family concert --- AllGood Entertainment -- got Michael, daddy Joe Jackson and several others in a room yesterday at the Bev Hills Hotel. Joe tried to convince Michael that the family tour should go on, but Michael wouldn't budge because it would have aired on pay-per-view and M.J. said he doesn't like pay-per-view! The meeting was heated and no one agreed to anything.
Patrick Allocco of AllGood Entertainment tells us he's going to sue Jackson and his family next week.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Patrick Allocco has resubmitted his offer for MJ to perform with the Jackson 5 and Janet without the pay-per-view. For this one night event, MJ would be paid $3million, Janet $1mil, and the brothers would get $500,000 to split.
Allocco is making this his last and final offer. If Jacko refuses, AllGood Entertainment will proceed with suing him and his family.
The chick who starred as Michael Jackson's female date in the "Thriller" video is suing Jacko and his production company -- claiming she hasn't been paid royalties from the legendary video.
We spoke to Ola Ray's attorney, who tells us the former Playboy Playmate is suing for breach of contract because she claims she never got her cut of the "Thriller" profits.
We're told Ola's not sure exactly how much she's owed -- her accountants will figure that out.
John Landis has filed legal papers against Michael Jackson, claiming Jacko had no right to negotiate a deal to make a Broadway musical of "Thriller," without his consent.
Landis wrote and directed the "Thriller" video and documentary back in 1983. Reports surfaced recently that Jackson cut a deal with the Nederlander Organization wherein Jackson made a deal in excess of $400,000 for the musical. But Landis claims Jacko can't cut a deal without his consent.
Landis, through his lawyer, Miles Feldman, is asking a L.A. County Superior Court judge for a declaration that Jackson can't make the deal without his sign off.
Earlier this month the company that hired Landis to write and direct the video claims it hasn't received its 50% cut in "Thriller" profits for more than four years.
The Library of Congress has chosen Michael Jackson's ghoul-orious "Thriller" album to add to its National Recording Registry, deeming it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." After all, no mere mortal can resist...
Michael's train wreck of a face might also be considered "aesthetically significant." We're just sayin'.
Jackson's 1982 best selling album of all time was the most contemporary of the 25 recordings picked with nothing being added from the 21st century. What, is Flo Rida not culturally significant?
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."
The woman who starred in Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video now claims MJ's estate owes her big-time for the famous vid. 
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video was an iconic moment in music history -- and Jacko planned on recreating it for his upcoming London concert series. 
We just received the following statement from Quincy Jones, who produced Michael Jackson's legendary "Thriller" album:
We've learned there was a secret meeting yesterday at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where Michael Jackson made it clear -- he will not perform with Janet and the Jackson 5; and the dude who organized the concert tour tells us he will sue them.
John Landis has filed legal papers against Michael Jackson, claiming Jacko had no right to negotiate a deal to make a Broadway musical of "Thriller," without his consent.
The Library of Congress has chosen Michael Jackson's ghoul-orious "Thriller" album to add to its National Recording Registry, deeming it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." After all, no mere mortal can resist... 
