Sony Pictures finalized a deal Monday to release a musical film composed from rehearsal footage shot in preparation for the 50 London concerts that Michael Jackson was preparing when he died in June. Here, Jackson is shown rehearsing at L.A.'s Staples Center.

AP


Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' movie due Oct. 30




Yahoo! Buzz Digg Newsvine Reddit FacebookWhat's this?By Anthony Breznican, USA TODAY
In life, movies were one area of entertainment that Michael Jackson never conquered. In death, the King of Pop may finally expand his kingdom to the multiplex.
Sony Pictures finalized a deal Monday to release a musical film composed from 80 hours of rehearsal footage shot in preparation for the 50 London concerts Jackson was preparing when he died June 25.

Named after the title of those concerts, which Jackson had vowed would be his last, the movie This Is It is scheduled for release Oct. 30.

The film will open simultaneously nationwide and around the world on that date, Sony Pictures spokesman Steve Elzer says. It's a quick turnaround for a movie, but Elzer says editors have been at work on the footage since before the deal was struck, and the remaining two months will be plenty of time to complete the project. "We're not rushing it, but we do want to get it out there," he says.

Sequences will be in 3-D, and new interviews are planned with those who knew and worked with Jackson on the incomplete project.

FIND MORE STORIES IN: Sony | Michael Jackson | Sony Pictures Entertainment | Kenny Ortega | The Rolling Stones
Negotiations to acquire the footage for theatrical release began in mid-July, roughly three weeks after Jackson's death. A bidding war between the major Hollywood studios broke out then for the still-unfinished film.

The release announcement came shortly after Sony's final bid of $60 million for the film rights was approved Monday by a Los Angeles County probate court administering deals between Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live, which had to refund $85 million for ticketholders to the London shows. But AEG is poised to benefit from the renewed passion for all things Jackson.

What remains unclear is the form the film will take: Will it be pure performance from Jackson, or is there final interview footage? Will it include only the most polished rehearsals, or will audiences see aspects of the show in incomplete form?

And how will the film address his death? A chronological approach, building to his last night of rehearsal — or will it skirt his death entirely?

AEG representatives familiar with the footage did not immediately return calls for comment.

It's also unclear what the public's appetite will be.

"The whole thing is about DVD sales, which will be significant. But not theatrical," predicts David Poland, veteran industry reporter for Movie CityNews.com. Recent concert films by U2 and the Rolling Stones have had tepid box-office runs.

"You're asking people to go to a movie theater and spend $10, $15 to see a concert of old songs they'll see on DVD in the next few months," Poland says.

anybbody gonna go see it in 3d?

Does anyone know the planned setlist for this tour?

According to the latest Rolling Stone cover story,a total of 30 songs were planned for the show.The finale was "Earth Song".So far,we know that these songs were part of it....

"Wanna Be Startin' Something" (opening song)
"Dirty Diana"
"Thriller"
"They Don't Care About Us"
"Earth Song" (final song)

Fury said:

Yeah, I never seen a 3D Concert..and this will probably be the only time in my life I will see MJ concert in a theater!

I can´t wait.

This is great news.

Fury said:

that's just stupid. you pay that amount to go see a dumb drama/action/comedy that's gonna be on dvd in 6 weeks

cool

SoulAlive said:

"Smooth Criminal" and "The Way You Make Me Feel" were also apart of the list. Of course "Billie Jean" also

CalhounSq said:

that's the face I made as well lol

lawd...

Of all days, why Oct. 30?

WaterInYourBath said:

In time for halloween!!! No immortal can resist the evil of Sony!!

:both claws in air side to side: :march sideways:

that's the same day Invincible came out.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Michael Jackson live 4 times, and I don't care how much AEG tries to convince the public that MJ was in top form (judging by the rehearsal video), he was not. Understandably, he was rehearsing and may not have had the rush of a live audience, but he ws lip syncing and his dancing was not of MJ standards.

I cant wait!!

Maybe I will change my mind once I see the movie (as a fan, I wouldn't miss it). I hope I and other fans aren't disappointed.

sooo exciting!














NOT

Am I the only fan here that has no interest in seeing this something about that Rehearsal was off

babybugz said:

No you're not.

Timmy84 said:

just wondering lol

totaldiva said:

it was rehearsals, he;s not gonna do his best. watch clips of the dangerous rehearsals. but anyways i'm sure what they have is fine. they said they have full dress rehearsals and stuff and for 60 million sony had to think it was good to.people will see it anyways

i'm gonna see it but i'm afriad to watch it in public cause i know i might end up being a mess. i'll have to bring a box of tissue and a big ass hoodie.

i hope the film doesn't talk to much if at all about his passing, it's gonna be depressing enough watching this.
[Edited 8/11/09 17:13pm]

mimi07 said:

But it's a movie of what-if, even the 3D effects won't change that.

Just in time for Halloween

If this is going to be anything like those godawful clips of him rehearsing to recordings that he did in the early 90's then expect a snoozer!

Sigh... grumbles!

I am just so not interested in seeing rehersals for a show that never was. I mean it's somewhat interesting to see if it lives up to the hype and in the unlikely event the microphone is actually turned on, but...

I just don't wanna see rehearsals of a show. I watched the dangerous rehersals - but that was like five years after I saw the real show four times, and it's interesting from a historical/development perspective.

But this is just a money grab - and i'm sure a successful one at that. Grumbles. Give me that Triumph Tour DVD instead....

s.

harbars said:

same lol

harbars said:

Here here!