Craig Williams, the director of ‘Michael Jackson: The Last Photo Shoot’, has filed a lawsuit against the executors of the late King of Pop’s estate. Williams seeks to confirm valid rights on unseen footage from Jackson’s 2007 photo shoot which will be used in the documentary, reported Ace Showbiz.
The footage was taken at the Brooklyn Museum of Art for Ebony magazine as Jackson tried make a comeback and gave his first magazine interview in a decade. Interviews with the singer’s friends, photographers, and stylists will be included in the film as well. However, Jackson’s estate calls the footage “private.” “The makers of the documentary are attempting to exploit footage and photographs of Michael Jackson, which we believe are owned by his Estate,” lawyer Howard Weitzman said.
“The documentary contains footage of Michael during private moments that he never agreed could be publicly and commercially exploited without his consent and/or involvement. Michael never authorised or approved the use of this material in the film.” In his defence as stated in the lawsuit, Williams argues that his company has legally acquired rights to the footage.
The plaintiff claims he stepped in after the late singer’s camp passed on the offer to purchase rights in 2011. (PTI)
