Michael Jackson's Final Rehearsal Footage Feature Film Plans 10/30 Release Date

Showbiz411 reports that Sony Pictures is in final talks to acquire the film rights to Michael Jackson's final rehearsal footage, which is priced at $60 million. Sony and AEG Live, the concert promoter of the canceled Jackson shows, have set a release date of October 30th 2009.

The film will feature the tragic music legend's rehearsals for the shows, which was supposed to kick off July 13th in London. Showbiz411 adds that 90 percent of the money will go to the Jackson estate, and 10 percent will be handed over to AEG.

"High School Musical" director Kenny Ortega, who shot the rehearsal footage, is expected to direct the Jackson feature, and sources to the paper said he's already beginning to put together the footage so Sony can release the film before year's end. Ortega has the time, as he won't begin directing the Paramount remake of "FOOTLOOSE" until next March, when star Chace Crawford is on hiatus from "Gossip Girl."

Jackson, 50, died Thursday, June 25th, after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles. 

In a phenomenal, unparalleled career, Michael Jackson sold more than 750 million records, had 13 number one singles - more than any other male artist - and is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; once as a member of The Jackson 5 in 1997 and later as a solo artist in 2001. His numerous other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records, including one for "Thriller" as the world's best-selling album of all time - 100 million copies and counting.

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