Broadway producer James L. Nederlander said he's hopeful a legal duel over Thriller rights can be resolved.

John Landis, who directed the iconic music video, sued Nederlander and former collaborator Michael Jackson in Santa Monica, California, on Wednesday. His lawsuit states that Landis owns half of the video's dramatic rights and says Jackson doesn't have the proper rights to pursue a deal with Nederlander to bring Thriller to Broadway.

Differences

In a statement yesterday, Nederlander said: "I'm confident that these past differences can be worked out."

Landis' lawyer said yesterday the director will sue to stop the production if necessary.

An attorney who has represented Jackson hasn't returned a phone message seeking comment.