Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Video to Become Stage Musical

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the title song of the pop star’s 1982 hit album has spawned two musicals. The Nederlander Organization has acquired the rights to produce a new show based on Jackson’s revolutionary 14-minute “Thriller” music video.

Thriller is the bestselling album of all time. It features songs such as “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “The Girl in Mine.” The video of “Thriller,” directed by John Landis and released in 1983, was a chart-topping MTV mainstay. The stage musical is expected to feature songs from Jackson’s 1979 album, Off the Wall, in addition to the songs from Thriller. No director, casting or other details have been announced.

Jackson will reportedly be a part of the creation of the show, which like the video will be a horror film spoof of a young couple on date that goes very wrong when the young man turns into a werewolf and zombies dance in the street.

"I love the idea of making Thriller a musical. Girl meets boy, they fall in love, boy has big secret, now what…" James L. Nederlander, president of the Nederlander Organization, said in a statement. "The Nederlanders and Michael Jackson represent live theater and musical excellence,” Jackson’s representative added in a statement, “so let the music begin."

Meanwhile, Thriller – Live, which celebrates the career of the King of Pop through video footage, special effects and dancing, is currently playing in the West End at the Lyric Theatre.