One of the most iconic albums of all time, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and its title track are a staple of every Halloween, and Deadline reports that an official documentary is on the way.
Deadline reports that The Michael Jackson estate and Sony Music Entertainment are working together on the documentary feature, which is set to be directed by Nelson George.
The film “takes fans back in time to the making of the record-breaking album and release of revolutionary short films that redefined the music video format and captivated audiences globally,” the official press release shared by Deadline this afternoon teases. “’Billie Jean’ remains the most streamed Michael Jackson song and ‘Thriller’ is the only music video that has been inducted onto the elite National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.”
The upcoming documentary will feature “never-before-seen footage and candid interviews,” chronicling “the point in Jackson’s career that launched the singer into mega-stardom and created a pop culture phenomenon that is woven through the culture and continues to influence the worlds of music, television, dance, fashion and more to this day.”
“The release of Thriller redefined Michael Jackson, taking him from teen star to adult superstar, who composed memorable songs, sang beautifully and reached the highest level of on-stage performance,” director Nelson George said in a statement. “The album, and the short films they inspired, created a new template for marrying music and image. It’s been a privilege to explore this extraordinary album and revisit its magic.”
The “Thriller” music video will of course be a central focus in the documentary. The video was directed by John Landis and featured an iconic spoken-word sequence from Vincent Price.