‘Official Michael Jackson Opus’ uses new tech

Deluxe book will feature interactive media that delighted late ‘King of Pop’

Video

A look at the ‘Official Michael Jackson Opus’ Aug 12: TODAY’s Al Roker takes a look at a new book about Michael Jackson sanctioned by his estate. The book’s publisher, Karl Fowler, shows off some of the features. Today show

The life and death of Michael Jackson

AP Jackson had long history with estate executor Michael Branca met the “King of Pop” when they were both in their 20s and was the mastermind behind the deal to buy the Beatles song catalog.

Gary, Ind. paid airfare for Jackson’s father Thrilling times for Jackson impersonators Report: Murray bought propofol at pharmacy Jackson estate could balloon by $200 million

Interactive

Michael Jackson’s inner circle The late singer had eight siblings, three children and two ex-wives, plus numerous doctors, advisers, and famous friends. Here's a look at who's who.

Michael Jackson slideshows

EPA	Michael Jackson’s life and career Click to see pictures from the highs and lows of Michael Jackson's career.
Courtesy of the Malnik family	Jackson’s children unveiled Michael Jackson shares happy moments with his three kids in photos that reveal the faces so often masked in public.
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Timeline

The King of Pop Timeline of singer's life, from Jackson 5 to ‘Thriller’ to Neverland.

Michael Jackson’s shocking passing June 25 robbed fans of the chance to see the iconic entertainer perform at his planned 50-concert stand in London this summer. But at least another project Jackson was working on at the time of his death will come to fruition: a mammoth, groundbreaking coffee-table book on his life.

The “Official Michael Jackson Opus,” produced by the London-based luxury publishing company Kraken Opus, will debut in all its 13-by-18-inch, 380-page glory this December. Kraken Opus CEO Karl Fowler told Al Roker live on TODAY Wednesday that the book is a comprehensive look into Jackson’s life as the late “King of Pop” himself saw it. And, in keeping with Jackson’s innovative, moonwalking spirit, the book also will incorporate a publishing first: live action on the printed page.

“It’s more than a book; it’s the ultimate testament to everything about Michael Jackson, his life as an entertainer, a performer, a singer,” Fowler said.

Eclipsing Prince
Kraken Opus, which has produced coffee-table books on topics ranging from the English football team Arsenal to designer Vivienne Westwood, originally pitched the idea of a Michael Jackson opus to the singer last April. It probably didn’t hurt that Kraken Opus had already produced one of its signature big books on Prince’s 21-concert run at O2 Arena in London; Jackson often looked at Prince as competition and was eager to eclipse him with his own groundbreaking run at O2.

Thus, what was supposed to be a 20-minute meeting with Jackson turned into a two-hour-plus gabfest with the publishers.

Fowler said Jackson wanted his story told in a way that differed from the dozens of Jackson books — many of them scandalous — already crowding shelves at booksellers. “Obviously, a huge amount had been written about Michael Jackson, both visual and editorial, and I think one of the things that fascinated Michael Jackson when we sat down with him, from a creative point of view, was to tell the story maybe in a way it’s never been told before,” Kraken explained. “That’s the challenge we set.”

The last meeting
Kraken Opus reps met with Jackson regularly as the book progressed, including a meeting just days before his death. “He looked happy, fine,” Fowler said of the company’s last meeting with the King of Pop. “In those days before, we were talking about how we were going to create the content, and he was immersed in it. There were no signs at all. He was very happy and enthused about it.”

While many projects Jackson was working on at the time of his death fell by the wayside, the Jackson estate gave a thumbs-up for Kraken Opus to continue its work on the leather-bound, oversize bio. Fowler told Roker the company currently has some 20 staffers working on photography and research as the publishing date nears.

Kraken Opus The 'Official Michael Jackson Opus' will sell for $165.

It’s a new trick that delighted Jackson in the book’s formative process — and one that Fowler believes will make potential buyers all the more eager to pony up the $165 for the book.

TODAY Kraken Opus CEO Karl Fowler demonstrated a mock-up of an interactive element in the 'Official Michael Jackson Opus' on TODAY.

Kraken Opus began accepting advance orders for the Jackson book today through the Web site michaeljacksonopus.com. In addition, orders can be placed through ticketmaster.com.

Along with the big book, Jacko fans will also get a chance to see what might have been had Jackson’s London concerts gone forward when Columbia Pictures releases a concert film culled from some 80 hours of rehearsals. The film, “This Is It,” is slated for release Oct. 30.

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