Just In: Michael Jackson was to direct movie about foster children

According to OMG!, three months before his death, Michael Jackson committed to co-directing and financing a movie — a poignant drama about foster children — and planned to get started as soon as he completed his London concerts.

The news is the latest in a series of revelations that are helping to shed light on the pop star’s passions and projects, even as the investigation into his abuse of prescription drugs and a tussle over custody of his children rage on.

The movie project also is eerily keyed to one of the most haunting aspects of Jackson‘s life: his apparent feeling that the Jackson 5‘s huge success robbed him of his childhood.

“He was very excited about making movies and wanted his hands on everything, from working on screenplays to producing, to writing the music. However, he never showed any interest in acting,” B-movie producer, writer and director Bryan Michael Stoller said of Jackson, who starred in the 1978 pic “The Wiz.”

Stoller said he had a 23-year friendship with the pop star and was his partner in the film company Magic Shadows. He was to have co-directed the movie, called “They Cage the Animals at Night,” which Stoller said they had been developing for seven years.

INSPIRED BY BOOK

The project was based on a 1985 book about the real-life experiences of author Jennings Michael Burch, who bounced around foster homes as a child. Jackson showed the book to Stoller in 2002 at his Neverland estate and asked if he wanted to produce and co-direct a movie version.

“Michael told me often he felt like he grew up as an orphan, like a foster kid, because he never was in one home,” Stoller said. “To him every hotel was like a different foster home. He said he used to sit in the window and see kids playing outside and cry because he couldn’t be part of that.”

Stoller optioned the book for $1 — initially without telling Burch about Jackson‘s involvement. When he did tell him, Stoller said the author was excited to work with the singer.

Jackson, meanwhile, was concerned that Burch, then 67 and suffering from cancer, might not survive to see the movie made. So Stoller suggested bringing Burch to Neverland in 2003, where Jackson turned the tables and interviewed him for what was to be a TV special and for the eventual DVD.

During their highly charged conversation, Jackson asked the author if he had ever considered suicide. Burch said he had, and Jackson said he too had considered it during his darkest days. (A clip from this footage is available at THR.com.)

Stoller recorded their meeting, an addition to a collection of videos he made with Jackson over the years, and to hours of audio recordings from their meetings.

Stoller told The Hollywood Reporter he has now come forward because he believes this material humanizes his friend at a time when much myth-making about Jackson is taking place. The producer also is marketing his video, audio and photos either for outright sale or as a project he would produce and direct.

He said he already has had interest from NBC, CBS and E!

But insiders in the Jackson camp said there was no formal deal in place for any Jackson involvement in “Cage”; discussions between the artist and Stoller occurred when Jackson was without management, which may have frowned on any distractions as he prepared for the London shows.

‘CAST AWAY’ CAST OFF

Jackson‘s last film foray was a 2005 comedic farce, “Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls,” produced, written and directed by Stoller and starring Eric Roberts. Jackson is briefly in the movie as Agent M.J., who comes to the rescue of various characters on a beam of light. The movie was a direct-to-DVD release sold briefly at Blockbuster stores.

When Jackson was indicted on child molestation charges shortly after its release, Blockbuster pulled the film from its shelves. “Miss Cast Away” has been sold overseas by Showcase Entertainment, and Stoller said he has offers for a new domestic video release for Jackson‘s last movie appearance.

“They Cage the Animals” also was affected by the molestation charges, Stoller said. In 2003 the producer arranged a three-hour meeting in a Universal City hotel between Jackson and Mel Gibson, who besides being an actor is a producer and partner in Icon Prods. “They got along great,” Stoller said. “It was kind of funny. Mel was a little nervous. He was hugging a pillow the whole time, kind of playing with it. Michael was kind of shy.”

Icon signed a deal to develop the project with a budget of $12 million-$20 million, according to Stoller, who was paid by Icon to write the screenplay. A couple of months later, when Jackson was indicted in Santa Barbara, Calif., Icon dropped the project, and Gibson stopped returning Stoller‘s phone calls. There were news reports in 2005 that Icon had dropped the project. A spokesman for Icon said the company briefly was involved in developing it in 1995 but had lost interest by 1997. Stoller has a copy of his contract with Icon dated 2002.

Stoller said Icon still owns the screenplay, but an Icon representative rebutted that, saying the company has had no involvement or ownership for 10 years. Gibson declined comment for this report.

WATCHING MOVIES

Jackson lost contact with Stoller for about two years during the period when the singer was on trial. But after his acquittal, Jackson reached out to him. They had watched dozens of movies in the Neverland theater; Stoller said Jackson‘s favorite was “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and that they also discussed doing a remake of the comedy musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”

“When Jackson called in 2007, he still had movies on his mind,” Stoller said. “He had begun to purchase movie production equipment. He was always asking how things work, but I never saw him really work things. But he wanted all the toys. He bought a dolly and wanted me to show the kids how to use it because they were using it as a play toy, riding around on it.”

Jackson wasn’t interested in making a blockbuster. “He wanted to do movies the Academy would like,” Stoller recalled.

Three months before Jackson‘s death, he and Stoller had “a pretty serious meeting” about reviving “They Cage the Animals” as an indie feature, the producer said.

“Michael was going to put up $8 million and not have to deal with any studios or producers and then take it to the studios afterward,” Stoller said. “He was very passionate about being a director. He was determined to make this movie.”

Source: OMG!

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“Too bad, that we never got to see that side of Michael Jackson. It sounds like it would have been a great movie to watch.”

Just In: Joe Jackson Says “I’m Not Encouraging Michael’s Kids to Be Entertainers”

Despite earlier comments to ABC News that Michael Jackson‘s kids could be stars, Joe Jackson now says has no plans to turn them into entertainers.

“I’m not encouraging them to do nothing. They have to be what they are, kids at the moment,” he said on Monday’s Larry King Live

He said the “Jackson Three” rumors are “a bunch of jive.”

He also denied ever abusing his late son, who died June 25 at age 50 after suffering cardiac arrest, despite previous accusations from the King of Pop himself.

“I never abused my son,” Joe insisted. “Michael was never beaten.”

Joe revealed that he didn’t know the location of his son’s body.

He also said that although he hasn’t seen any results from the family’s private autopsy, he still suspects “foul play” in his son’s death.

Speaking of the singer’s private physician Dr. Conrad Murray, Joe said: “The doctor gave him something to make him rest and he don’t wake up no more. Something is wrong.”

Source: OMG!

Just In: Michael Jackson’s Body Moved

Michael Jackson’s body has been moved amid fears fans would break into the crypt where it was stored.

The late ‘Thriller’ star’s coffin was taken to a private tomb belonging to Motown records founder Berry Gordy after the memorial service last week, but thousands of people have flocked to the spot since the location was leaked last weekend.

The Jackson family have now moved the coffin to the basement of the main building at Forest Lawn Cemetery – where the singer’s private funeral took place – until his final resting place is decided.

A source said: “The Jackson family was not pleased and ordered the casket to be placed in the basement for security reasons.”

Michael’s sister LaToya Jackson – who supplied information for the star’s death certificate – was reportedly responsible for choosing what he wore to be buried in.

The 50-year-old star is believed to have been dressed in black studded trousers, an oversized gold belt and two black gloves. His trademark single white glove was also placed in the coffin with him.

It is believed that Michael’s family want him to be laid to rest in his Californian ranch Neverland.

However, his mother Katherine is said to be blocking their wish because she believes it is not what the late star – who moved out of the property when he was acquitted of child abuse charges in 2005 – would have wanted.

Katherine has failed in another bid to be “treated like a third trustee” of the singer’s estate, after originally being refused to be legally named as co-administrator last Monday (06.07.09).

Documents filed at Los Angeles Superior Court Monday(07.13.09) contained details of the dispute but Judge Mitchell Beckhoff signed off papers for the singer’s two existing trustees – attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain – to begin doing business on behalf of the estate.

Katherine had been named temporary administrator in the aftermath of Michael’s death last month.

A new court date has been set for August 3.

Meanwhile, toxicology results that could help establish the cause of the ‘Bad’ singer’s death may be available this week or early next week, an official from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office has claimed.

It is expected the office will announce they have the results and then release the details the following day.

Source: Fametastic

Just In: Joe Jackson Says Michael’s Kids Have Bright Futures

The elder Jackson praises Michael‘s daughter Paris, saying that he believes the young girl wants to do something in Hollywood show business.

On Friday, July 10, Joe Jackson had an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” during when he expressed his strong belief that Michael Jackson‘s children could have bright futures should they try their hands in showbiz. The elder Jackson especially made a reference to Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, who delivered a touching eulogy during Michael‘s memorial service earlier this week.

“I don’t know – I keep watching Paris,” he said in a statement, before then adding, “She … wants to do something.” Joe, moreover, also has his eyes on Prince Michael Jackson II a.k.a. Blanket, revealing “As far as I can see, well, they say Blanket, he can really dance. That’s what they’re saying. He can really dance.” Joe, however, made no mention of Michael‘s eldest son, Prince Michael Jackson Jr.

On the same interview, Joe was asked about whom he thinks should get the custody of Michael‘s children, and his response was, “The grandmother, Katherine, and I. There’s no one else to do what we can do for them. We should keep them all together and make them happy. And feed them like they’re supposed to be fed. And let them get rest … and grow up to be strong Jacksons.”

Since Michael‘s sudden death on June 25, his mother Katherine Jackson remains the children’s temporary legal guardian. Custody of Prince Michael Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, and Prince Michael Jackson II will be determined on a court hearing scheduled for July 20.

Source: AceShowbiz.com

Wire Talk: La Toya Jackson to Dress Michael Jackson for Burial

In addition to making “the most incredible outfit” for Michael’s burial, the songstress reportedly has called her longtime stylist to help her styling her late brother.

Playing good and caring sister, La Toya Jackson reportedly will dress late brother Michael Jackson for his burial. Per Access Hollywood as being informed by a source close to the Jacksons, La Toya will have the King of Pop being laid to rest with his single signature white glove. “La Toya had Michael’s rhinestone glove laid in the casket,” confirms the source. “Michael wore a black leather glove on each hand [in the casket].”

As for Michael‘s final attire, La Toya will take care all the details. “She wanted him to look incredible. She called in his longtime stylist and had the most incredible outfit made for him,” says the source. “He looked wonderful – like an angel.”

On top of all, La Toya is said to have also been “extremely instrumental in every aspect and every detail” of the funeral arrangements, as well as watching after Michael‘s three children since he passed away last month. Besides, she has been “heavily involved” in the investigation conducted by authorities to determine the cause of Michael‘s death, which isn’t something new for her as she herself is a trained law enforcement official. “She’s still working around the clock with detectives until this case is resolved,” the source adds.

Despite the report, there has been no official word from Michael‘s family regarding plans of burial. In the meantime, there have been reports saying that he won’t be laid to rest until authorities finish examining his brain and before they can come to final conclusion on the cause of his death.

According to the NY Post, Michael Jackson is stored in LA Crypt as family squabbles.

Over his dead body!

Michael Jackson‘s family is bitterly divided over how best to profit off the King of Pop‘s remains — so his body has been stashed in Motown maestro Berry Gordy‘s crypt until the clan stops bickering, The Post has learned.

Jackson‘s gold-plated casket was last seen at his public memorial service, and its whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery — until now.

His remains were brought back to the white marble, above-ground crypt the Motown record-label founder bought for his family in the Court of Remembrance section of the sprawling, celeb-filled Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.

Jackson‘s body is still missing his brain, which coroners are temporarily keeping for testing.

Aside from Jackson, the simple mausoleum is empty and marked only with a distinctive swooping letter “G.”

For the time being, Jackson lies with a who’s who of Hollywood heavyweights. Next door is the final resting place of American sweetheart actress Sandra Dee, who died in 2005.

And nearby are ornate crypts for iconic actress Bette Davis, flamboyant pianist Liberace and ’70s “Chico and the Man” star Freddie Prinze.

Gordy — who discovered the Jackson 5 — offered the family use of the crypt until they sort out what to do with the superstar’s remains, sources said.

On one side are Jackson‘s brother Jermaine and father, Joseph, who are insistent the Gloved One be buried at Neverland Ranch so the family can profit off a proposed Graceland-style museum there — a process that could take years.

On the other are Jackson‘s mother, Katherine, and most of the rest of the siblings, who want his body laid to rest elsewhere out of respect for his wish, following his acquittal on child-molestation charges, to never return to Neverland.

“Jermaine is the one that wants him at Neverland — he and Joseph — because of the whole Elvis thing and the money potential,” a family source said. “They are seeing dollar signs.”

Her son’s physical purgatory has left Katherine shaken.

“She is still upset that Michael isn’t buried and he is at Gordy’s spot in Forest Lawn, the source said. “This fighting has to stop. We can never unite, and that’s an injustice.”

The fight had become so contentious that Jermaine rode in a separate Rolls-Royce limousine to Jacko‘s public memorial at Los Angeles’ Staples Center, even though his mother had wanted all the brothers to ride together, the source said.

But the fight hasn’t stopped the family from agreeing on other ways to turn Jackson’s death into a financial boon.

Most of the kids and Katherine are onboard with a proposed documentary about the family that could bring in $20 million, the source said.

“They’re doing this documentary because with the kids, they will get $20 million,” the source said, adding Katherine is pushing all her children to be a part of it.

But if Jermaine and Joseph Jackson prevail, it would be a long legal road — permits would be needed — before a Graceland-like museum could be built at Jackson‘s one-time fantasyland home north of Santa Barbara.

Meanwhile, LAPD Chief William Bratton told CNN last night that detectives are looking at Jacko’s prescription-drug history and trying to talk with his numerous former doctors.

The coroner will determine the cause of death — whether it’s homicide or an accidental overdose.

The coroner’s office has subpoenaed “any and all” medical records pertaining to Jacko’s care, the LA Times reported.

Bratton said the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the state Attorney General’s Office, which keeps a database of prescription drugs, are assisting investigators.

Source: aceshowbiz

Music News: Shaheen Jafargholi Signed By Brad Pitt’s Agent

Twelve-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi has been signed up by Brad Pitt‘s talent agency after he appeared at Michael Jackson‘s memorial service. The youngster, who amazed audiences with his incredible voice on Britain’s Got Talent, impressed Jacko before he died and was set to perform at the London shows of the singer’s This Is It tour.

It is claimed his career in the US will now take off after his tribute to Jackson at the Staples Center and LA-based agency, CAA, are reported to be looking after the lad. The agency were behind footballer David Beckham‘s move to LA and Pitt, George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith are among the celebrities on their books. A source said: “Shaheen has had requests to appear on all the big TV shows. He has meetings lined up with Nickelodeon TV and Disney. “Disney are looking at finding a role for him in their High School Musical and Hannah Montana-style shows. Producer-director Kenny Ortega is involved in both and was the man behind the Jackson memorial. He loves Shaheen.” CAA also represent Britain’s Got Talent star Simon Cowell, 49, who is rumored to be planning a record deal for Shaheen.

Source: Splash News

Just In: Diana Ross Doesn’t Want Responsibility of Jackson’s Kids?

Diana Ross and Michael Jackson no doubt shared a very special relationship dating back to his childhood years, but it seems the songstress was served quite the surprise last week when it was revealed Jacko named her as a secondary caregiver in his will. The late King of Pop specified that he wanted Ross to be given custody of his three children should his first choice, mother Katherine, be unable to do so.

Diana’s 20-year-son Evan Ross and his girlfriend were overheard discussing the issue at Diddy’s Fourth of July White Party presented by Starbucks Ice-cream in Los Angeles on Saturday. According to what they told friends, Ms. Ross had “no idea” Jackson had named her in the will and wasn’t too thrilled about being put in such a position of responsibility.

A rep for Ross did not respond for comment.

Source: FOX News