Studios bid on right to distribute Jackson footage

Studios bid on right to distribute Jackson footage

LOS ANGELES — Sony Corp.’s movie studio has bid $50 million to acquire the worldwide distribution rights to a film based on rehearsal footage for Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” comeback concert series, according to a person familiar with the bid.

The person said Monday that the bid came after several studios, including Paramount, Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros., were shown footage starting early last week. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the bidding had not been completed.

The winning studio would produce the film with Jackson’s concert promoter, AEG Live, and his estate. It would go a long way to helping AEG Live recoup some of the $30 million to $32 million it spent producing the concert before Jackson died June 25.

Brown apologizes for beating girlfriend

LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown has publicly apologized for his beating of Rihanna.

Brown released a two-minute video on his Web site on Monday apologizing to fans and saying he is sad and ashamed of his conduct.

He also says on the video that he has repeatedly apologized to Rihanna.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8 and later charged with assault likely to cause great bodily harm. He pleaded guilty to the assault charge last month and faces sentencing on Aug. 5. He is slated to serve five years of probation and perform six months of community labor.

Brown says on the video he wanted to speak out earlier but was advised not to by his lawyer.

The 20-year-old calls his actions “unacceptable.”

Beastie Boys tour canceled as member battles cancer

NEW YORK — In an upbeat video, Beastie Boy Adam “MCA” Yauch announced via the group’s Web site that he has a “very treatable” cancerous tumor in his salivary gland and a nearby lymph node.

As a result, the band announced Monday it is canceling its tour dates and postponing the release of their upcoming album, “Hot Sauce Committee Part 1.”

Yauch, 43, said he will likely undergo surgery next week, followed up by some form of radiation.

Today’s birthdays

Movie director Norman Jewison is 83. Singer Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) is 61. Cartoonist Garry Trudeau (“Doonesbury”) is 61. Comedian-actor Robin Williams is 58. Comedian Jon Lovitz is 52. Actor Josh Hartnett is 31. “American Idol” runner-up Blake Lewis is 28.