Michael Jackson is being sued by the creator of his iconic ‘Thriller’ music
video.

Filmmaker John Landis - who was hired by Jackson to create the
werewolf-themed promo because of his work on horror classic ‘An American
Werewolf in London’ - is taking the former ‘King of Pop’ to court to reclaim
four years of unpaid royalties.

Landis and Jackson allegedly signed a contract in 1983, granting Landis 50
% of all profits earned from the video.

In court documents, Landis – who co-wrote and directed the classic 14-minute
promo – accuses the troubled singer of "fraudulent, malicious and oppressive
conduct".



He claims Jackson has failed to "provide any accounting of the ‘Thriller’
profits for the past four years and earlier, and failed to pay Landis his 50
per cent cut of the net proceeds".

Official documents don’t specify how much Landis is owed, but it is thought
to be around $1 million.


Fame Pictures

Landis’ lawyer insists legal action was taken as a last resort.

He said: "I can't understand what they are doing to John Landis' company. It
is such a straight-ahead thing. It makes no sense at all to me."

Jackson is currently working with the Neverland Organization to make a
Broadway musical based on the horror-themed video, which sees a young couple
go on a date only for the boy to transform into a werewolf.



Two weeks ago Jackson was mobbed by loving fan as he exited a medical building. He can't pay for Thriller, but he can afford a 100,000 a month for this rented mansion.