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Voicemails to Marc Schaffel With Marlon Brando Interview Plans

Date confirmed in “Today” (“June 2001”)

Michael Jackson, June 2001 voicemails to Marc Schaffel, “Today” (July 6, 2006)

In June 2001 Jackson left several messages dealing with what he called “the Marlon Brando deal.” The tapes shed more light on the pop star’s friendship with Brando, who died in 2004.

Schaffel said Jackson had an idea to do a video in which Brando would interview him and he would interview Brando at the actor’s island in Tahiti. Later, Jackson wanted to make an acting DVD with Brando. The project fizzled because of the enormous cost, Schaffel said.

There were several messages from Jackson saying Brando wanted to know what was going on with the project.

June 2001 voicemails to Marc Schaffel, CNN’s “Nancy Grace” (Jul 12, 2006) (archived)

Michael: ...Marc, it's Michael Jackson calling. Don't forget for the studio we're building at Neverland we agreed to put the editing bay for filmmakers and a whole editing compound area for the side for rehearsal. That's important to remember that.

I want to give Nicky your number, and Nicky will call you directly, OK? Nicky will call you, also. Thanks, bye.

...Marc, we must -- Marlon Brando has been pushing. He’s a wonderful man. He's a god. We have to get this done. We want it done before Christmas. Put together a business plan. The whole thing is fine for TV. He just wants to make a big deal. He wants a lot of money. And we would own it together. We would form our own company. Start putting that together so when we see him -- when I see him, I can just give him a presentation that we have been busy working.

He really wants it. I mean, I think that's there's -- maybe he's not going to be living too much longer. That's what it is, I think. Please, Marc, get this done. Let's get the jive thing done. I need that money for the house. Let's move mountains.

The album is going to be turned in. Sony's going crazy. So we are looking good. I hope to talk to you soon. I'll see you today at the studio at 3:30. I love you very much. Thank you. Bye.