For the 40th anniversary of “Thriller” there will be a new, as yet untitled documentary. According to Deadline, the making-of project was previously commissioned by Sony Music and will be directed by music historian and director Nelson George.
The film is intended to describe the still breathtaking rise of Michael Jackson from a great musical talent to the biggest pop star in the world and, as much is already known, will contain never-before-seen recordings and interviews of the musician, who died in 2009, as well as the creation of the then spectacular and epoch-making music videos for the famous singles “Thriller”, “Billie Jean” and “Beat It”.
How Michael Jackson became a superstar
In a press release, filmmaker Nelson George is quoted as saying that Michael Jackson “reinvented himself” with “Thriller” and it propelled him “from teen star to adult superstar.” The album’s visuals, including the music clips in particular, created a fruitful connection between music and image that was hardly thought possible at the time.
“Thriller” was released on November 30, 1982. The record won a total of eight Grammys and is still the world’s most popular album of all time with almost 50 million copies sold.
As with other LP anniversaries, there will be a deluxe edition accompanying the making-of documentary. “Thriller 40” contains demos and rarities along with a remastered version of the original. Highlights are the previously unreleased songs “She’s Trouble” and “The Toy”.