Michael Jackson to stage a “Thriller” comeback during Super Bowl

Michael Jackson hopes to stage a "Thriller" comeback during American football's Super Bowl next month.

As part of a marketing plan for the 25th anniversary of the hit Michael Jackson album, a TV spot for SoBe Life Water, a vitamin-enhanced beverage from PepsiCo, will air during the big game next Sunday with a "Thriller" theme, according to documents obtained by the New York Post.

An internal memo from Jacko's former label Sony, written by marketing director Andrew Feigenbaum, mentions the TV spot as "confirmed."

PepsiCo has refused to acknowledge collaborating with Jackson on the super-secret project.

Meanwhile, the week after the big game will see "major TV, radio, online and outdoor advertising campaign", the memo says.

There are also plans under way for Jackson to appear at the Grammy Awards on February 10 with young hip-hop artists Fergie, will.i.am and Akon, who also accompany him on remixed or new versions of "Thriller" album tracks.

Blockbuster "Beat It" will now feature Fergie, while Akon joins "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and will.i.am provides vocals for "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" and "The Girl is Mine."

Meanwhile, the classic "The Girl is Mine," which featured Paul McCartney, has been completely re-recorded, erasing all traces of the former Beatle.

Jackson, 49, hasn't released an original album since "HIStory" in 1995 and hasn't toured since October 1997. He was acquitted of child sex charges in 2005 - and quit the US soon afterwards.

Thriller became the best-selling album ever after its release in 1982.

The "Thriller" campaign is a multimillion-dollar effort and that the Sony-designed p.r. blitz could be a major boost to Jackson's flagging career, the New York Post reported.

A spokeswoman for Jackson did not return calls.

By Gavin Wilson, Jan 27 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy