Jackson eyes $400m comeback plan

Michael Jackson could earn more than $400m (£283m) from a comeback deal involving new music and movies as well as concerts, his promoter has revealed.

• The pop superstar has announced 10 gigs at the O2 arena in London this summer.
• Randy Phillips, head of AEG Live, which is staging the gigs, said they had a wider deal that could cover a world tour and a 3D film based on Thriller.
• He also said: “We’re talking to him about helping him figure a new plan for the release of singles, new music.”
• Jackson appeared at the London venue on Thursday to announce his comeback concerts.
• He billed them as “the final curtain call” and “my final show performances in London”.
• Speaking afterwards, Mr Phillips said: “These will be the last shows in London. Whether he will go on from here around the world… this will be his last tour.
• “All he’s agreed to are the London shows at this point.”
• He said AEG Live had a “broader relationship” with Jackson.
• “We have a film development deal that’s part of this to do a film, Thriller 3D,” he said.
• It would be a new film that could star Jackson himself, he said.
• Asked how much Jackson could earn from the ventures, Mr Phillips replied: “If we complete the full three-and-a-half year plan, he could gross over $400m in that time. London could be north of $50m (£35m).”
• The star made a five-minute appearance in front of hundreds of screaming fans on Thursday to announce the 10 London dates.
• His first words to fans were: “I love you so much.
• “This will be it. When I say this is it, it really means this is it,” he added.
• “I’ll be performing the songs my fans want to hear.”
• Jackson had been expected to appear at the 02 arena at 1600 GMT, but arrived an hour and a half late for the announcement.
• The first concert at the 20,000-capacity venue will be on 8 July, with tickets costing between £50 and £75. They go on general sale on 13 March.
• Jackson last toured 12 years ago. In 2006, he performed at the World Music Awards in London, but disappointed fans by singing just a few lines of We Are The World.