Michael Jackson’s family has strongly condemned plans to "resurrect" the late star using holographic technology in a new arena show.
The upcoming biopic Michael is set to premiere with a holographic performance of Jackson at London’s O2 Arena. This is reportedly supported by Universal Studios and aims to launch next spring.
The venue is significant as it was where the King of Pop was scheduled to begin his This Is It residency in July 2009. Jackson died at age 50, just 18 days before the first concert in the series of 50 sold-out shows.
Insiders say family members are outraged and view the show as a "macabre publicity stunt." They believe the attempt to digitally resurrect Jackson for marketing is deeply disrespectful.
"Michael was a perfectionist. The idea of digitally resurrecting him for marketing purposes would have horrified him. It feels like they're trying to profit off his death all over again. They feel as if this attempt to resurrect him, in a show focusing on one of the hardest periods of his life, is totally ghoulish."
Thousands of fans are expected to attend the holographic show, which would recreate Jackson’s final performances.
Author’s summary: Michael Jackson’s family condemns plans for a holographic resurrection show, calling it a disrespectful attempt to profit from his tragic final days.