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From: Steinberg, David

Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 5:54 PM

To: Weil, Leah

Subject: FW: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

Sorry, hit reply instead of reply all.

-----Original Message----- From: Steinberg, David Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 2:52 PM To: Schlessel, Peter Subject: RE: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

I think you're right. I'm heading out a bit early today but will check in with Burkow before I go and will advise if he has anything to say.

-----Original Message----- From: Schlessel, Peter Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 2:51 PM To: Steinberg, David; Weil, Leah Subject: Re: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

I truly don't know. I think let them call us.

----- Original Message ----- From: Steinberg, David To: Schlessel, Peter; Weil, Leah Sent: Fri Jul 24 14:50:19 2009 Subject: RE: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

Are we worried this is the Estate prepping to come back to us for more $$ (in light of music situation or otherwise)? Let me know if you want me to call Burkow and see if anything is up. [Or worse, that probate court is now going to think it's worth $75m.]

If just rumors, I think Steve is right and we just sit quiet. Nothing to be gained from getting into it.

-----Original Message----- From: Schlessel, Peter Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 2:46 PM To: Steinberg, David; Weil, Leah Subject: Fw: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

Shoyld we do something

----- Original Message ----- From: Elzer, Steve To: Kennedy, Jim; Schlessel, Peter Sent: Fri Jul 24 14:44:53 2009 Subject: RE: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

Jackson Movie Price Now Up Around $75 Mil Friday, July 24, 2009

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Movies, Music / By Roger Friedman Tags: Michael Jackson

The price that Sony Pictures will ultimately pay for the Michael Jackson movie?

Originally it was $60 million. But since the Jackson estate has backed off the idea of a televised memorial from London on August 29th, Sony is going to end up paying a higher price. This may be because with NBC Universal willing at one point to pay $10 million for the TV project, Sony needs to keep that off the air to protect its movie’s market share.

The new price is said to be $75 million. And that’s not final yet. I’m told it could still go a little higher.

Sony declined comment.

“This Is It,” as the film is tentatively called, is still scheduled for an Oct. 30th release. The August 29th shows are dead, however. What may still be on is some kind of tribute Joseph Jackson wants to organize for the same date. He has no venue or production and is relying on ex-con Leonard Rowe to produce it, so I’d wait on getting out my credit card just yet.

The movie, however, is turning into an event. “Everyone will go see it so they can make up their own minds,” says a source. “Was he sick? How did he look? Did he know this really was ‘it’?”

The feeling at Sony, which is intent on being the Michael Jackson company, is that Europe and Japan will be even bigger than America sales-wise. They’re probably right. Michael never lost his luster abroad.

Meanwhile, the executors of the Jackson estate were in court yesterday getting permission to do some licensing. They’re re-publishing Michael’s autobiography, “Moonwalk,” with Shaye Areheart Books. Areheart was assistant to Jackie Onassis back when she published the book at Doubleday. Other licenses were also approved, although I’m told the estate is playing it safe right now, and not doing too much. Just enough, they say.

-----Original Message----- From: Kennedy, Jim Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 2:36 PM To: Elzer, Steve; Schlessel, Peter Subject: Re: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

I agree. I would not want to deny it on the record. That leads to a game of twenty questions. Not happy they are printing with firm off the record guidance its not true. That makes them rumor mongers.

----- Original Message ----- From: Elzer, Steve To: Schlessel, Peter; Kennedy, Jim Sent: Fri Jul 24 14:03:18 2009 Subject: Re: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

The estate is alledgedly making calls. Just not sure where this is coming from and we have told them off the record what the situation is. Don't want to do anything that makes a bad situation worse. My vote is to live with the bad report and clean it up when we sign

Steve Elzer Senior Vice President, Media Relations

----- Original Message ----- From: Schlessel, Peter

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To: Elzer, Steve; Kennedy, Jim Sent: Fri Jul 24 13:58:20 2009 Subject: Fw: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

I don't know what to advise

----- Original Message ----- From: Schlessel, Peter To: Lynton, Michael; Pascal, Amy; Steinberg, David; Weil, Leah Sent: Fri Jul 24 13:48:12 2009 Subject: Fw: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

Is this a bad dream

----- Original Message ----- From: Elzer, Steve To: 'JohnB@ZiffrenLaw.com' <JohnB@ZiffrenLaw.com>; 'james_bates@sitrick.com' <james_bates@sitrick.com>; Schlessel, Peter; Kennedy, Jim

Sent: Fri Jul 24 13:45:53 2009 Subject: Hollywood reporter - time sensitive

Apparently Roger Friedman of the Hollywood Reporter has been told that the rights are going for more than 75 m. Can the Estate or Sony refute the story on the record? How would you like to handle?

Steve Elzer Senior Vice President, Media Relations