Why Paris Jackson's first film project may not be a 'Thriller'

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Before his untimely passing, Michael Jackson notoriously dressed his children like they were always headed to a costume ball. It was his way of shielding his three kids from the press and various pariahs of the world. However, with the King of Pop gone Prince Michael, Paris, and Blanket have all the freedom in the world to engage the public.

They’ve done a remarkable job of making up for time lost due to virtual seclusion, appearing on Oprah’s talk show, The X-Factor, and in home videos with their cousins on YouTube.

theGrio: Do we see Michael Jackson’s kids as black or white?

As a result of their publicity blitz, we now know a lot more about Michael’s kids than we ever did before — including which Jackson child is most likely to follow in his entertainer footsteps. According to Michael’s niece, Genevieve Jackson, Prince and Blanket want to go into filmmaking while Paris wants to focus on acting. For the middle sibling, being an entertainer is her way of giving back.

Paris recently tweeted: “I Wanna Leave My Footprints On The Sands Of Time. When I Leave This World I’ll Leave No Regrets. I’ll Leave Something For Them Not To Forget.”

The sentiment could give someone a cavity, but those responsible for her ought to be having a headache as some worry that her first film role is setting the wrong precedent for her career. Paris Jackson will reportedly star in Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys, a mixed live-action and animation movie.

The plot focuses on a young girl kidnapped from her rightful place on land by an evil Jellyfish Queen of the Ocean. As a result, she becomes the key to finally ending the battle between creatures of the land and sea. Paris will play the “human character” being brainwashed by the Jellyfish Queen. Yeah, I’m confused, too, but I used to enjoy Michael Jackson battling Joe Pesci in Moonwalker.

Paris Lundon’s Bridge co-stars include Larry King and his wife, Shawn King, along with Joey Fatone. Fatone is the larger fellow who used to be a part of *NSYNC. You know, that group Justin Timberlake used to be in. Even more peculiar about this project is the person behind it. A little known film producer named Stephen Sobisky is the one who convinced Katherine Jackson to allow Paris to do this movie that’s based on a privately published book penned by little known actor, Dennis Christen.

You would think when you’re Michael Jackson’s daughter you would be working with someone a part of Hollywood’s elite. This is kind of like having the opportunity to sign with Jay-Z’s RocNation, but opting to work with the person who produced “Whoomp! (There It Is).”

On Paris joining his project, Sobisky told People magazine, “She wants to take on her dad’s legacy and do something good for the world and our product does that.” He also added that half the profits from the movie and book versions of the story featuring Paris on the cover will be donated to schools.

That’s not enough to satisfy skeptics of the movie.

It appears that Sobisky was able to finagle this deal thanks to the King family’s relationship with the Jacksons. That’s why some members of the Jackson family are reportedly worried that Paris is being exploited. A source close to the family told gossip writer Janet Charlton, “She does not need to be involved with a guy who clearly is using her attachment to his project to raise the money…. This is pure exploitation of Michael Jackson’s only daughter.”

No offense to Christen and Sobisky’s joy to the jellyfish flick, but it’s easy to understand that point of view. No one would be talking about this movie if not for Paris’ involvement. And based on the plot, I doubt this is the type of film that will make people take notice at the teenager’s talent and potential. It also seems like the kind of job that will likely courage other random people to seek out the Jackson kids and exploit their infamy for their own financial gain.

Paris, do yourself a favor and call your Auntie Janet. She has a film production deal with Lionsgate to develop movies — ones theatergoers might actually bother to go see.