Judge Approves Michael Jackson Film

A Los Angeles judge has approved plans for a feature-length movie comprised of Michael Jackson's final rehearsal footage.

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During a Monday hearing, Judge Mitchell Beckloff signed off on the proposed deal among Jackson's estate, concert promoter AEG and Columbia Pictures, which paid $60 million for the rights. In addition to the rehearsal footage filmed during Jackson's preparations for his London comeback tour, the movie will include videos shot for display during the "This Is It" shows.The contract stipulates that a cut of the film must be screened for Jackson's estate, which stands to receive 90 percent of the profits, and cannot contain any footage that paints Jackson in a poor light. A final cut is due by late October. No release date has been set.

See photos of Jackson with his children and family

The film deal also includes merchandising, product tie-ins, a director's cut and special editions. Jackson's mother, Katherine, who was granted access to her son's AEG contract last week, did not object to the film, but raised concerns over merchandising agreements, which Beckloff said he will look over.