Posted on: Monday, July 23, 2001

Michael Jackson back on big screen

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Michael Jackson is returning to the big screen, starring in and producing his first animated feature.

In "The Way of the Unicorn, The Endangered One," Jackson will do the voice of Sailor, an orphan who works with a lonely rich girl and a group of endangered animals to save the planet.

Pre-production on the $75 million film is scheduled to begin next month, said Dennis W. Peterson, chief executive officer of Las Vegas-based Big International Group of Entertainment Inc. The movie could be in theaters nationwide in spring 2003.

"This is the new Michael Jackson, the movie actor and producer," said Peterson, Jackson's co-executive producer. "This is Michael's future and he wants to devote his energies to it."

Jackson, 42, last appeared in a theatrical release in the 1978 musical "The Wiz" with Diana Ross. His 3-D film "Captain Eo" appeared at Disneyland and Disney World for 10 years starting in 1986.