| February 26 2002 Michael Jackson signs Movie Deal Jackson, his producing partner Raju Patel and key executive Lawrence Mortoff will now head a new division of the company - Neverland Pictures. HOLLYWOOD - Michael Jackson is in Neverland again, but this time it's for movies. The king of pop has invested between $15 million and $20 million in MDP Worldwide Entertainment Inc., a Montreal-based film producer and distributor. The capital infusion gives Jackson's Neverland Entertainment a majority stake in MDP, which is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. MDP principal Mark Damon said the Neverland investment will "significantly expand MDP's production and financing capabilities." Jackson's nascent Neverland Pictures will become the production arm of MDP, with all features produced at the company now carrying the Neverland Pictures banner. The pact was unveiled at a sit-down dinner Sunday at Damon's home, where Jackson told 200 reps from the international film biz, "All the great things that I've done are because I've dreamed great dreams ... Of all the dreams, this is the one I'm most passionate about." Among his passionate dreams: Yes, he's a pop singer, but what he really wants to do is direct. He has shot a number of music videos and expressed a desire to do features. He is expected to be involved in a creative capacity with Neverland Pictures |