Las Vegas Weekly

August 5, 2009 · 1:08 PM

Strip Scribbles: Court filings detail Michael Jackson film

By Robin Leach

Michael Jackson appears in London to announce his final concerts in the British capital in March 2009.

Photo: The Associated Press

Confirming Robin Leach’s July 6 story about one week after Michael Jackson’s death, The Associated Press is reporting that a film featuring footage of the King of Pop’s last rehearsals at Staples Center in L.A. might be coming to theaters pending a judge’s approval. Click HERE for Robin’s exclusive story.

A Los Angeles probate judge has until Monday to OK the deal for the big screen film. A hearing with Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother, has been scheduled for Monday. An agreement filed last Friday and released yesterday detailing project is between AEG Live, Columbia Pictures, one of Michael’s companies and others. Last month, AEG President and CEO Randy Phillips revealed that the company had more than 100 hours of footage of preparations for Michael’s This Is It 50-concert run at 02 Arena in London.

“If we all do our jobs right, we could probably raise hundreds of millions of dollars just on the stuff we have worldwide, and then the estate could eradicate its debt,” Randy said last month.

Columbia Pictures paid $60 million for rights to the project, according to the agreement. According to the contract, Columbia must screen the film for Michael’s reps by Oct. 2.

*Reality TV star Megan Hauserman of VH1’s Megan Wants a Millionaire hosted a party at Jet in The Mirage. Megan partied and posed with her Millionaire cast mates and even hopped in the DJ booth and onto a mic for shout-outs to the eager partygoers. Megan’s show premiered Sunday.

*DJ Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas performed for thousands of partygoers at Jet, kicking off with “Bebot” before spinning electro-style house for nearly two hours. DJ Apl.de.Ap didn't forget to pay homage to the Black Eyed Peas by playing his band’s chart-topping hit “Boom Boom Pow.” People in the place got down!

*Comedian, actor and frequent Las Vegas headliner David Spade took a break from filming his new comedy with Rob Schneider to enjoy the sun, chips and salsa with female fans at Bare Pool Lounge in The Mirage. Also there was rocker Tommy Lee relaxing poolside.

Tonight’s tips

Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche hit the red carpet at Brenden Theatres in the Palms for the premiere of their new film Spread. … "Vs.: a Rock Cabaret" is at the Liberace Museum. ... Shannen Doherty hosts the first Way Back Wednesdays at LAX in the Luxor in celebration of the 1980s and 90s. … Chill out at the IS Vodka Challenge at Cadillac Ranch in Town Square. … Mirage headliner Terry Fator makes an appearance on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. … And chef Hubert Keller, whose Fleur de Lys is in Mandalay Bay, competes on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters.

Tomorrow’s teases

Our celebrity guest columnist is nightlife industry guru Jack Colton. Plus, our coverage of Ashton and Anne on the red carpet and the official announcement of Zowie Bowie’s first move to the Strip, which Robin announced more than a week ago.

Vegas DeLuxe Editor Don Chareunsy compiled Strip Scribbles for Robin Leach, who is on vacation.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

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