Pop superstar Michael Jackson is so upset about a joke made at his expense in upcoming movie Scary Movie 3, he's reportedly suing the makers.

DIMENSION FILMS, the studio responsible for the spoof flick, is preparing to face a case brought against them by the THRILLER star, who's allegedly angry about a Jackson-related child sex joke.

According to showbiz website PEOPLE NEWS, lawyers are in the process of trying to get both the trailer and the ending of the film cut to remove all reference to kids, Jackson, or both.

But media law specialists believe he faces a tough struggle in his efforts to enforce any changes.

Legal entertainment expert MICHAEL O'CONNOR says, "A lawsuit isn't as easy as A-B-C. Parodies and comedies have a lot more licence.

"If a film is meant to be humorous and that's understood, then most likely it will not be considered defamatory."

Jackson was the focus of a police investigation in 1993, following allegations he sexually abused a 14-year-old boy. The case was eventually settled out of court.

15/08/2003 20:11