| It
seems that in recent months many actors and musicians have shifted
gears from the battle to protect their art, to protecting their
appearance and mannerisms as well. In a recent article we told you
about Lars Ulrich taking on the Sci-Fi channel over an incident
were the program The Chronicle used a character with his
appearance and mannerisms, and Lars immediately launched a
lawsuit.
Michael Jackson saw this as a door
opening for an issue that had been bothering him since he saw the
previews for the new Tim Burton Movie "Planet of the
Apes".
"It was like looking into a mirror when I saw the ad. I mean
I am a big fan of planet of the apes, Mr. Bubbles and I play
Planet of the Apes all the time. They should have at least asked
my permission though, I would have said yes of course, but now I'm
peeved. Monkeys are my friends, and a lot of people really
misunderstand them because though they are much like us, but very
different too. Some monkeys have different family behavior, and
every monkey has a unique kissing style, and taste to them"
Jackson says he was originally
hesitant to pursue action against the film makers as he had
recently had an injunction filed against him by the estate of
legendary horror actor Lon Chaney. "We did a lot of computer
modeling and we always came to the same conclusion, if Michael
Jackson has any more facial surgery he will look exactly like the
character that Mr. Chaney played in Phantom of the Opera. We felt
that Mr. Chaney and his family would not want to be represented by
Michael Jackson, otherwise a deal could have been worked
out."
In a related twist Sandra Bullock is suing Tim Burton as well,
citing hair and makeup styles that are uniquely hers as being used
in the new movie. |
