( CNN ) -- Movie director John Landis is suing Michael Jackson , accusing the reclusive entertainer of fraud in his handling of profits from the iconic `` Thriller '' video the two made together more than 25 years ago . `` King of Pop '' Michael Jackson , seen in 2005 , made the `` Thriller '' video with John Landis more than 25 years ago . Landis claimed his 1983 contract with Jackson gave him 50 percent of net profits from the 14-minute video and the documentary about the making of it , both works that he directed and co-wrote with Jackson , court documents say . Jackson `` wrongfully refused to pay or account for such profits , '' the suit , filed against the singer and Optimum Productions , says . The suit characterizes Optimum as `` a defunct corporation '' Jackson has used as an alter ego . The suit accuses Jackson of `` concealing the extent of net profits '' by not giving an annual accounting for at least the past four years , and maintains that Jackson is `` guilty of fraudulent , malicious and oppressive conduct . '' Jackson 's lawyers have not responded to the suit , which was filed on January 21 . The video was based on Jackson 's 1982 album by the same name , one of the top-selling of all time . Landis , best known as director of `` Animal House '' and `` An American Werewolf in London , '' made the song into a short horror movie , complete with Vincent Price adding narration . Word of the suit comes just after an announcement that Jackson has signed a deal to take the dancing zombie story to the Broadway stage . The Nederlander Organization , a Broadway production company , announced Tuesday that it had signed a contract with Jackson to produce `` Thriller '' on stage . The show , which Jackson is to be involved with , also is to include music from other Jackson albums , the company said . The court has set May 11 as the date for lawyers to hold a conference with a judge concerning the lawsuit .
Director John Landis , Michael Jackson made `` Thriller '' video 25 years ago . Landis claims 1983 contract gives him 50 percent of net profits from video . Jackson `` wrongfully refused to pay or account for such profits , '' suit says . Jackson 's lawyers have not responded .